Rangers are set to visit one of Europe’s most formidable grounds as they face off v Red Star Belgrade for a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Ibrox side have routinely punched above their weight in recent seasons and can get themselves within sight of the final with victory in Serbia.
To do so they’ll need to overcome the notoriously inhospitable crowd at the 53,000 capacity Rajko Mitic Stadium, with manager Dejan Stankovic claiming his side are “twice the team” in front of their own fans.
Just as well Rangers are packing a 3-0 lead in the suitcase with them as they head off to the former Yugoslavia then.
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst is insistent that this is an entirely new match and his team will be approaching it as such despite the sizeable advantage.
But Red Star proved at Ibrox they have goalscoring threat as two offside goals, a missed penalty and a crashed effort off the bar proved in a pulsating encounter.
It has ensured that absolutely no one at Ibrox or within the support is counting their chickens – even if Rangers too pose plenty of threat themselves.
The focus now will be one who makes the starting XI as Rangers look to weather the Crvena zvezda storm and strike a blow or two of their own.
Who makes our Rangers predicted XI v Red Star Belgrade?
In goal Allan McGregor is expected to be trusted between the sticks, the legendary Gers stopper silencing critics with an immense penalty save from Aleksandar Katai last week.
James Tavernier – a man on unstoppable form as of late – will also kick off the match alongside Connor Goldson, with Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey tipped to start in a back four.
John Lundstram – who has dropped into make things a back five in a flexible system in Europe – is also expected to start with Ryan Jack being tipped also.
Glen Kamara – adopted a number 10 position at Ibrox – could be asked to do so again here with Ryan Kent, Mr Europa League Alfredo Morelos and Joe Aribo completing the line-up.
Yes, this is the exact same team who started the game at Ibrox as GVB sticks to is guns in Serbia.
Red Star Belgrade v Rangers – Rangers starting XI 4-2-3-1/4-3-3
GK – Allan McGregor
DR – James Tavernier
DC – Connor Goldson
DC – Leon Balogun
DL – Calvin Bassey
CDM – John Lundstram
CDM – Ryan Jack
CAM – Glen Kamara
RW – Joe Aribo
ST – Alfredo Morelos
LW – Ryan Kent
