Richard Foster wants to see Barry Ferguson start a Rangers player versus Athletic Club who has zero prior experience in the Europa League.
It would be a bold move by interim manager Ferguson, who did promise at his post-match Hibs press conference on Saturday that “a series of changes” would be made to his XI.
Rangers got their way past Fenerbahce and were drawn against the in-form La Liga side in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with the first leg this Thursday at Ibrox.
So it begs the question – who will Ferguson drop and draft in from the bench? Jack Butland could certainly fall foul given his ropey recent form.
He was the hero in the penalty shootout against Fenerbahce, but his last two displays against Dundee and Hibs produced a couple of awful errors which sees his place at risk.
Liam Kelly would be his natural replacement, someone who has played only 630 minutes of football this season and has never played in the Europa League proper before.
Richard Fosters wants Liam Kelly to start Rangers vs Athletic Club
Foster used to work alongside Kelly when the pair were both at Motherwell, so the former Rangers full-back admits there is an element of bias to his argument.
But he wants to see Kelly start and explained why on The Go Radio Football Show. Foster said of Ferguson potentially replacing Butland with Kelly: “I think it is one he’ll consider.
“It would need to come with a discussion with Butland, of course, because you don’t want to completely ruin his confidence.”
“I think there’s been some great saves in there, but there’s been some real critical errors and I think it might be a time to go with a bit of freshness.
“And you know what, you’re putting in a good goalkeeper who is good with his feet, makes saves, who talks and communicates.
“I know Kells really well and I like him as a goalkeeper, I like him as a character and I like the energy he brings to the team. I don’t know Jack Butland so I’m definitely going to be slightly bias on this occasion, but I would put Liam Kelly in.”
Foster picks his Rangers XI to face Athletic Club
Foster then went on to select his preferred starting XI for Thursday evening, something Ferguson will be racking his brains over this week.
Foster said: “I think they should play the five (at the back) which worked against Fenerbahce. I would put Kelly in goals, I’d have a back three of Balogun, Propper and possibly Sterling.
“Tavernier and probably Jefte in terms of the attacking wing-backs, Barron and Raskin in the middle. And that would leave a front three of Cerny, Dessers and I’d put Hagi in.
“I think he’s (Hagi) got quality and I know he’s not always at the level, but I do think he has quality. And I think he thrives in these European ties and gets a bit more space than he does in Scotland. So that’s four changes for me.”
