Dan Carter

Wed 13 September 2023 13:10, UK

Manuel Pellegrini has been vocal about the “inconvenience” of only having three senior centre-backs ahead of Real Betis’ clash with Rangers, according to Al Final de la Palmera.

The Spanish outlet reported on Tuesday (12 September) that the former Manchester City manager has been vocal in his frustration over the lack of defensive cover in his side, offering a potential weakness for Michael Beale’s side to exploit when the two sides meet next Thursday (21 September).

Having sold Luiz Felipe to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad late in the transfer window, Betis have been left with only Marc Bartra, Germa Pezella and Chad Riad as their senior defensive options. Bartra hasn’t played a single minute so far this season and Riad is yet to make his debut having arrived this summer.

Despite the shortage of options, the Spanish club have ruled out the idea of adding a free agent to their ranks, with the January transfer window identified as the best opportunity to strengthen, while Al Final suggests that Pellegrini will lean on his youth options should his side pick up any more injuries.

Opportunity

Rangers haven’t had a good start to their season and would much rather be lining up in the Champions League against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona than Real Betis, but they have been presented with a good opportunity to progress.

Betis are, on paper, the strongest team in the Light Blues’ Europa League group and should Beale’s side be able to get a result in the matches against their Spanish opponents it will go a long way to ensuring they make the knockout stages of the competition.

Beale now has a plethora of forward options at his disposal and, while many of them have struggled for form, the chance to play against an injury-ravaged backline may give them the perfect opportunity to show their talent and begin to find their feet at Ibrox.

For the Rangers manager himself, he needs results to save his job and while Betis may be one of the tougher opponents the Gers will face in the coming weeks, their woes in defence may see the pressure mount on Beale should his team struggle to lay a glove on Pellegrini’s side.

Hopefully, the Light Blues will be able to take advantage of Betis’ woes and get off to the perfect start in their Europa League campaign.

In other Rangers news, Andy Walker has dubbed Rangers’ handling of Borna Barisic’s contract situation as ‘dreadful’