Ibrox view: The three Rangers players that have earned must-start status v Benfica
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side face Portuguese giants Benfica at Ibrox on Thursday in a crucial Europa League group D match up.
The Gers threw away a 3-1 lead against a 10-man Benfica side in Lisbon earlier this month during a back-and-forth 3-3 draw, and Gerrard now has a number of selection headaches heading into the reverse fixture.
A 4-0 win over Aberdeen on Sunday saw three players in particular put their name into the hat for a start, with a win on Thursday leaving Rangers in the drivers seat to progress to the knockout stages.
When it comes to selection, there are debates to be had up and down the pitch, starting in defence. While Connor Goldson, Borna Barisic and James Tavernier are pretty much automatic selections at this stage, who partners Goldson in the centre is up for debate.
Filip Helander had been Gerrard’s preferred option in the big games so far this season, but he had a shocker in the away match and has not featured at all in the Gers last two matches. In his stead, Leon Balogun has been a calming and dominant presence, playing his part in clean sheets against Hamilton Academical and Aberdeen. At this stage Balogun deserves to get the nod, but Gerrard could still turn to Helander if he feels he has recovered mentally from a difficult night in Lisbon.
In midfield, there are numerous options to choose from and players keep putting their name forward. Scott Arfield was outstanding as an attacking central midfield player against Aberdeen, with Glen Kamara and Steven Davis left on the bench. Ryan Jack anchored the midfield on Sunday, as he did in the reverse tie with Benfica, and you would expect him to get the nod once again on Thursday. Aribo is more likely to be used from right wing, but Arfield certainly made a case to start alongside either Davis or Kamara with a goal and an assist against the Dons.
Finally, there are also questions about the make up of the front three. While Ryan Kent is certain to start from the left, it is likely two of three between Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Aribo. Given his record in Europe, Morelos would be expected to start, but Gerrard could opt for Roofe thanks to his recent form.
Alternatively, Roofe could play from the right as he did against Aberdeen on Sunday, pushing Aribo to the bench. The former Leeds man is not as good a dribbler or creator as Aribo, the Nigerian averages 1.6 dribbles and 1.4 key passes per game in the league (via WhoScored), but his ability to find the net could be the difference between the two sides.
Altogether, Gerrard has some decisions to make. Balogun, Arfield and Roofe all impressed against the Dons and have perhaps shifted Gerrard’s plans going into Thursday. In our view they all did enough on Sunday to earn a starting berth.
In other Rangers news, why does Kemar Roofe think Rangers have been so good this season?