View: Rangers predicted XI vs Red Star
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is expected to make four changes to the side when they take on Red Star in the second leg of their Europa League tie.
The Light Blues earned a massive 3-0 win at Ibrox in the first leg last week, and followed it up with an impressive 3-0 win over Dundee in the Scottish Cup at the weekend despite rotating.
But with Red Star showing enough signs that this tie isn’t over yet, van Bronckhorst is likely to field the strongest side he can to ensure progression to the quarter-finals.
That means a return in goal for Allan McGregor, who had an outstanding game in the first leg including saving a first-half penalty.
James Tavernier got on the scoresheet from the penalty spot against both Red Star and Dundee and the captain will continue at right-back, alongside the talented Connor Goldson in the centre.
Calvin Bassey has been hugely impressive at left-back and that position is now his to lose. That should see Leon Balogun return into centre-back, with Filip Helander ineligible in Europe after starting at the weekend.
In midfield Ryan Jack and John Lundstram showed their excellent ability on the ball and defensively in the first leg and while Lundstram missed the weekend game, he is expected to be fit to return for this game.
Alongside them is a shootout between Glen Kamara and January signing Aaron Ramsey, but the Finland international has proven himself in recent weeks and should get the nod.
Ryan Kent hobbled off at the weekend with what looked like an ankle injury, but van Bronckhorst confirmed that it was just a precaution and he should be fine for Thursday’s game.
Fashion Sakala got on the scoresheet against Dundee after coming on as a substitute, but the ball retention and versatility of Joe Aribo should see him start on the right once again.
As expected, El Buffalo will lead the line and look to add to his record 32 European goals for the Bears.
Predicted Rangers XI: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Bassey; Lundstram, Jack, Kamara; Aribo, Morelos, Kent.
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