Pacy striker Fashion Sakala has surprisingly been omitted from Rangers’ Europa League squad ahead of their playoff against Alashkert.
The Gers are set to face the Armenian champions at Ibrox in the first leg on Thursday night before travelling to Yerevan next week for the second leg.
During his press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Steven Gerrard suggested that his squad for the tie would be confirmed within hours [RangersTV] and the UEFA Europa League website updated the Gers’ player list at around 5pm.
The major news is that summer signing Sakala will be playing no part over the two legs.
The former KV Oostende star featured off the bench in both legs of the Gers’ Champions League QR3 defeat to Malmö but has missed out here.
With no injury update provided during Wednesday’s presser, it’s unclear if this is a tactical move or if Sakala has been ruled out with an injury.
Jake Hastie has also dropped out of the squad after joining Partick Thistle on loan, while there’s a call up for goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.
The 33-year-old has started all three of Rangers’ domestic fixtures so far this season but was left out of the squad for the Malmö tie, with Robby McCrorie the sole backup option for Allan McGregor.
This time, all three keepers have been named.
Kemar Roofe and Glen Kamara are both also on the squad list but due to suspensions, Roofe will miss both legs and Kamara will only be available in Yerevan.
Rangers fans have called on Gerrard to drop a key player for an exciting 21-year-old for the first leg.
