Derek McInnes provides clarity over Nicolas Raskin as Rangers exit chatter grows
Nicolas Raskin was not part of Rangers' starting line-up for Thursday night's clash with Jablonec.
Rangers welcomed the Polish side to Ibrox in a game they dare not lose across the two legs.
Defeat to Jagiellonia in Europa League qualifying means the Gers now have a two-legged showdown with Jablonec to reach the Conference League.
Derek McInnes was always expected to name a strong starting line-up for the first leg of that tie, and so that proved.
It comes on the day fresh speculation emerged regarding Raskin's future at Rangers, but McInnes has now provided some clarity.
Why was Nicolas Raskin left out of Rangers XI vs Jablonec?
Raskin was accused of being "disrespectful" when not handing the captain's armband over to Lawrence Shankland last weekend.
That was rather overboard, but there is no doubt that there has been a lot of doubt over the midfielder's future of late.
It was reported earlier on Thursday that Fenerbahce are now genuine contenders to sign Raskin before the transfer window closes.
But that is not why he was left out by McInnes to face Jablonec.
Speaking to Rangers TV prior to the game, McInnes explained: "Nico is managing an ankle injury.
"He needed an injection after the game on Sunday. It gives him a little bit of time to recover, and it gives Dan the opportunity to play."
The Gers boss added to BBC Scotland: "We know he may be a flight risk but every player has an opportunity if the price is met.
"It's nothing to do with that tonight, it's about looking after him. He's been good as gold since he came back from the World Cup and is keen to play his part."
McInnes has made a bad start to his Ibrox tenure and knows anything other than victory against Jablonec will only add to the early pressure.
What else did Derek McInnes say pre-Jablonec?
Jablonec are in decent form for the trip to Ibrox, where Rangers have underwhelmed in Europe - and indeed domestically - for too long now.
The Gers won just one of their four Europa League matches there last season and were held by Jagiellonia - far from a heavyweight club - last week.
And McInnes is aware his side face a tough test in this latest Euro showdown on home soil.
"They are tactically flexible. They can play with a back four or a back five, and they have good individual players," he said.
"They have started the season well, so we need to dictate the tempo and make sure we disrupt their confidence."
Rangers have the safety net of next week's second leg in the Czech Republic, but McInnes will not want to make the trip with his side chasing a goal.
Fingers crossed the Gers put on a display on Thursday, with or without Raskin involved.