Barry Ferguson expects Antonio Colak to start for Rangers vs Union Saint-Gilloise
Barry Ferguson believes Giovanni van Bronckhorst will go with Antonio Colak to start in attack when Rangers face Union Saint-Gilloise on Tuesday night.
The Gers head into the Champions League qualifier 2-0 down from the first leg, but welcomed back Alfredo Morelos from a thigh injury at the weekend as he scored in the win over Kilmarnock in his first appearance since March.
The Colombian is available for the second leg and some have tipped him to start ahead of Colak such is his quality and influence on the team, but former captain Ferguson told Go Radio that he believes the Croatia international will get the nod instead.
“But look, just to have his presence back was great for the Rangers supporters and I’m sure Gio will be absolutely delighted that he’s now back in the frame to start.
“I’m 50/50 whether he will start him (against Union Saint-Gilloise). I think he will go for Colak to start the game but having Morelos on the bench – if things aren’t going great or even if Rangers are one up and need another goal.
“To bring him on in the last half hour, because you seen the difference he made (against Kilmarnock at the weekend).
Right call
It might not be the call that the fans want him to make, but Van Bronckhorst selecting Colak over Morelos to start this game is the right thing to do.
Colak didn’t have the best of games in the first leg but finally found the net for the first time since joining at the weekend and he will be keen to build on that momentum in front of the Ibrox crowd.
Morelos’ appearance was his first in months and despite his goal and overall good performance, he is clearly not at his best and shouldn’t be rushed back when we have alternative options.
Rangers need a fast start in this game and a less than 100% fit Morelos could affect that. Bringing him on later on if a goal is needed however could have the perfect effect.
The crowd will be behind the players no matter what, that much you can be sure of, so Van Bronckhorst doesn’t need to take any big risks with key players.
In other Rangers news, this BBC Sportscene pundit has had his say on if Morelos should start vs USG