Rangers duo Ryan Jack and John Lundstram should be dropped for Europa League trip to Braga
Giovanni van Bronckhorst should drop Rangers midfield duo Ryan Jack and John Lundstram after their nightmare showing against Celtic.
The Dutchman takes his suddenly beleaguered squad to Portugal to face Braga in the Europa League tomorrow night (7 April), off the back of a home defeat in the Old Firm derby which all but handed the title to their Glasgow rivals.
Jack has been an integral part of the squad since his return from injury, while summer signing Lundstram has been somewhat of a surprise package in recent weeks.
Ironically it was the collapse in the previous Old Firm derby, the 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park, that propelled both into the starting XI.
Jack was introduced at half time in that match at the beginning of February, and was one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise miserable outing.
When fit he has more often than not started since, but his game in the return fixture at Ibrox on Sunday (3 April) was the worst since he re-established himself, as he was virtually anonymous in midfield before being substituted just after the hour.
Old Firm bookends
With the title defence on the line it was the worst possible time to suddenly have a shocker, and the risk of a repeat in the European quarter-final tomorrow means he should start on the bench.
Lundstram had featured sparingly in the weeks leading up to the nightmare at Parkhead in February, and benefited from van Bronckhorst’s reaction to that result by becoming a fixture thereafter.
He has even been deployed in defence, to mixed results, but should again be part of the manager’s response to a bad result against Celtic, but this time int he other direction.
While not by-passed to the same extent as his midfield colleague, it was his double calamity just before half time which gave the visitors a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
On a day where even Kris Boyd was full of praise for referee Willie Collum, the former Sheffield United man was the only Ger who managed to receive a booking, for his wild lunge on Giorgos Giakoumakis.
When the resulting free kick landed at his feet in his own penalty area he then failed to clear, allowing Cameron Carter-Vickers to slam in the winner.
The timing of the blow was key, and it was entirely avoidable.
Glen Kamara should anchor whichever midfield combination van Bronckhorst opts for.
Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield would be suitable to support the Fin, to give Aaron Ramsey a platform.
With Alfredo Morelos ruled out for the season, the on-loan Welsh star needs a base from which to create chances for the attackers.
His central colleagues failed to provide that for the vast majority of such a crucial Old Firm, and a change is needed for Braga.
In other Rangers news, the manager has confirmed another injury absence in the squad.