Connor Goldson and Ryan Jack set to start for Rangers v Servette in Champions League – Sky Sports
Sky Sports reporter Mark Benstead expects Conor Goldson and Ryan Jack to start Rangers’ crucial Champions League clash with Servette after both players took part in training on Monday [14 August].
Goldson and Jack were not part of the Gers’ matchday squad for the 4-0 Scottish Premiership win over Livingston on Saturday [12 August], but Michael Beale suggested that was with the trip to Switzerland in mind.
Rangers lead Servette 2-1 heading into Tuesday’s [15 August] Champions League qualifying third-round second-leg tie at Stade de Geneve.
Benstead provided an update on the Rangers squad for Sky Sports with exclusive footage as they took part in their final training session on the eve of the game.
“[Beale] made a couple of changes at the weekend with one eye on this game in Switzerland,” Benstead said, via Football Daily.
“He rested both Conor Goldson and Ryan Jack. Both are involved in this session and I expect both to start the game tomorrow.”
Pressure is on
With John Lundstram being ruled out of the second leg due to personal issues, Beale cannot afford to be without any more central midfielders.
That is why he took the decision to rest Jack against Livingston, and it may well be that the Gers go with the same midfield three that started the reverse fixture.
Should that be the case, Jack will be joined by Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell, with the latter shaking off an injury in time to start against Livi at the weekend.
Goldson also started the first leg and is in line return to the heart of the back four in Switzerland, providing some defensive steel as the visitors look to protect their slender advantage.
Despite the comfortable win against Livi, coming a week on from defeat at Kilmarnock on the opening weekend of the league season, Beale knows the pressure is on heading into the match given the sums of money on the line for progressing on the continent.
If the Gers see the job through against Servette, they face a tough match against either PSV or Sturm Graz for a place in the Champions League proper.
In other Rangers news, reporter Stephen McGowan has called for Beale to make a huge tactical decision in the final third of the field against Servette.