Rangers fringe men to get chance to shine v Stranraer

Rangers return to domestic action on Friday night when they welcome League One strugglers Stranraer to Ibrox – and it will be an ideal opportunity for Steven Gerrard to give some of his fringe players a chance to impress.

After the week-long training camp in Dubai, the Light Blues are back to the grind in their pursuit of silverware and should have more than enough to reach the next round against the part-timers.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 29: Rangers Manager Steven Gerrard during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on December 29, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland.

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

With a hectic run of games over the coming weeks, Gerrard will likely look to use his squad more than he has so far this season and that could see opportunities handed to a number of rarely-seen players.

Rangers will have to do without the injured Filip Helander and the suspended Alfredo Morelos against the Stair Park side but other than that, Gerrard has a full complement of players available.

There could be cameos from the bench for the likes of Nathan Patterson and James Maxwell after impressing during the trip to Dubai but it seems unlikely that Gerrard will throw them into the starting XI just yet.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 12: Alfredo Morelos of Rangers FC scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Rangers FC and BSC Young Boys at Ibrox Stadium on December 12, 2019 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The likes of George Edmundson and Greg Stewart seem likely to start on Friday night, while Jordan Jones will be hoping to make his competitive return to action following several months on the sidelines injured.