Ridvan Yilmaz completely absent in three changes – Confirmed Rangers starting XI v Ajax
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has confirmed his Rangers starting lineup for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Ajax.
Rangers have one final shot at keeping their European dreams alive but must beat Ajax by more than five clear goals if they are to do so. On the other hand, defeat by two or more goals would see Gers set the worst-ever record in the Champions League group stage.
With a lot at stake, Rangers confirmed the starting XI on Twitter with Giovanni van Bronckhorst making three changes.
Ben Davies, Ridvan Yilmaz and John Lundstram have all been dropped and are nowhere to be seen after starting against Aberdeen. Lundstram is suspended.
Steven Davis, Borna Barisic and Scott Arfield come into the side.
Rangers head into the clash confident after a much-needed 4-1 win over Aberdeen on the weekend, although the 4-0 defeat to Ajax earlier this season is bound to be in the back of their minds.
The Eredivisie leaders have been in great domestic form but struggled in Europe. They will be well rested after being afforded a break from league fixtures and will look to avenge their 3-0 loss against Liverpool last week by securing their Europa League qualification at Ibrox.
Pride at stake
Not many Rangers fans will be watching at Ibrox expecting Van Bronckhorst’s side to win by five and qualify for the Europa League.
But the club do owe the fans a promising European performance after what has been an absolutely torrid Champions League campaign.
Gers fans have had just one goal to celebrate, and even that came in a 7-1 drubbing. After drumming up so much excitement through last season’s Europa League run, Rangers need to prove their pedigree with a spirited display on Tuesday evening.
It may not result in Rangers moving up in their Champions League group, but it ensures the club avoid being labelled the worst-ever team in the tournament’s group stage, and will also provide some momentum to take back to Scotland and the Premiership.
In what has been a terribly hard group to compete in, Tuesday night represents Rangers’ best chance of putting some points on the board.
In other Rangers news, Michael Beale sets Rangers tongues wagging as he’s spotted arriving at Ibrox