In other Rangers news, three things learned about Rangers v Falkirk
Ibrox View: Rangers summer signing could be surprise starter for Gerrard after Standard issues
Suggesting that Rangers have defensive issues is a strange take given their record in the Scottish Premiership, but they have not been as solid in the Europa League.
Five matches into the group phase and they have conceded seven goals, shipping two on Thursday night during their 3-2 win over Standard Liege.
It is a little too simplistic to suggest that their defence cannot handle the step up against the higher quality opposition, but Steven Gerrard certainly needs to analyse the issues that have cropped up.
A look back at some of the goals that Rangers have conceded in the Europa League suggests that while they have excellent defensive shape and organisation, their downfall comes in one-on-one duels.
Connor Goldson was caught out on the wing for Standard Liege’s opener on Thursday, while Filip Helander had a nightmare against Benfica’s dribblers in Lisbon. Both are good defenders that look dominating in the Scottish Premiership but have been shown up in wide spaces with talented attackers running at them.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
Leon Balogun excelled in the home fixture against Benfica and made some impressive last-ditch interventions, but he too struggled to cope with the speed of the Liege attackers on Thursday.
With this in mind, it will be very interesting to see if Gerrard gives any thought to Calvin Bassey and whether he can become a regular centre-back option. Given his inexperience in the role, it would be something of a move from left field, but as a full-back by trade, he is comfortable in one-on-one situations and possesses impressive tackling and recovery skills.
He started in the role against Falkirk and barring one under-hit back pass, he looked comfortable. Of course, the League One side are not the kind of opponents he would be facing regularly in the Europa League knockout phase, but he certainly has some of the attributes Gerrard’s side are missing at the heart of their defence.
Rangers’ current defensive options are all 27 or older and while this experience is valuable, it could be an interesting idea to see whether the 20-year-old Bassey has a future in the position.