The Rangers Europa League squad for the competition’s Group Stages has been submitted – with a first-team defender Jack Simpson failing to make the cut.
That means the Ibrox side will head into the competition with only three recognised centre-backs in Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and Leon Balogun.
Due to homegrown player rules, there were always going to be players who missed out with Simpson joining several first-teamers on the sidelines.
Current rules dictate that 25-man European squads must contain eight homegrown players – that is players who have been trained in Scotland for at least three years before the age of 21 – with four of those homegrown at each club.
As a result of strict rules, veteran striker Jermain Defoe fails to make the grade, whilst Brandon Barker, Nnamdi Ofoborh and Andy Firth also miss out.
Striker Cedric Itten – who joined Greuther Fürth on loan on deadline day – is also excluded freeing up some space for others to come into the team.
The most significant additions are that of summer signing Fashion Sakala – who missed out against Alashkert due to injury – and fellow transfer addition Juninho Bacuna, who is yet to play for the club.
These two appear to have replaced Simpson and Itten in the squad from the last squad.
View the entire Rangers squad via the UEFA website HERE.
Rangers face a tough but agreeable draw in Group A of the competition with ties in France, Denmark and the Czech Republic to come.
Ligue 1 side Lyon, Danish Champs Brondby and Czech side Sparta Prague will all be coming to Ibrox this season.
Rangers have announced the ticket details for these three matches with the price certainly turning the heads of supporters after an expensive few months.