Scott Arfield out, Glen Kamara to return – Rangers predicted XI v Borussia Dortmund
Giovanni van Bronckhorst is predicted to make two changes to Rangers’ starting line-up ahead of the second leg of their Europa League playoff clash with Borussia Dortmund on Thursday night.
Rangers go into the Ibrox showdown with the wind in their sales after a stunning 4-2 win away at Signal Iduna Park last week.
Since then, the Gers have drawn away at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership and we expect Filip Helander and Scott Arfield drop out from the side that started at Tannadice.
Helander is unavailable due to not being registered to van Bronckhorst’s Europa League squad. Borna Barisic could replace him and play at left-back, with Calvin Bassey moving into the middle of the defence amid doubts surrounding Leon Balogun’s fitness.
Scott Arfield could also drop out of van Bronckhorst’s side so that he can play Glen Kamara and add some more steel to the midfield as Dortmund are no doubt going to come out all guns blazing in search of a way of getting back into the tie.
As for the rest of the side, Allan McGregor is predicted to start in goals. Jon McLaughlin missed the Dundee United draw with a virus so it remains to be seen if he’ll be ready to return on the bench just yet.
James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Bassey and Barisic are likely to be the Gers’ back-four when Dortmund visit Glasgow this week.
Ryan Jack was the man of the match in Dortmund last Thursday and is expected to be joined by Kamara and the in-form John Lundstram in van Bronckhorst’s midfield trio.
Joe Aribo could start on the right-hand side of the attack with Ryan Kent lining up on the left, flanking star striker Alfredo Morelos.
Rangers may have seen their league form dip since the winter break ended but there’s no doubt that they’ve already secured one historic European result by winning 4-2 away at Borussia Dortmund last week.
One more historic game will lead to the Light Blues cementing their spot in the Europa League’s last-16 where anything will happen, knowing that they will have knocked out one of the favourites to win the entire competition.
In other Rangers news, a journalist says this new Gers signing is “struggling” since arriving in Glasgow.