Rangers are all set to face Dynamo Kiev in the third round of Champions League qualification.
Philippe Clement is under no illusions surrounding the challenge of the Ukrainian side ahead of the first leg in Poland.
The Rangers manager spoke candidly about the threat of Dynamo Kiev ahead of the game but was clear he has belief in the Ibrox squad to go toe-to-toe at the Lublin Arena.
Now, Rangers have confirmed the line-up for the clash with Dynamo Kiev with new signing Robin Pröpper only managing a place on the bench.
Rangers confirmed XI v Dynamo Kiev
Rangers have made only two changes from the starting XI in the weekend’s Scottish Premiership opener v Hearts.
Leon Balogun comes into the team in place of under fire central defender Ben Davies, whilst Northern Irish winger Ross McCausland replaces the injured Oscar Cortes.
That means Rangers will start with Jack Butland between the sticks and Ridvan Yilmaz & James Tavernier at left and right full-back.
John Souttar partners Balogun whilst Connor Barron, Mohamed Diomande and Tom Lawrence remain the club’s midfield three.
Cyriel Dessers continues as the team’s lone striker focal point with Scott Wright starting off the right-hand side of the attack.
Qualification for the Champions League could be worth as much as £30m to Rangers and this is the XI which is tasked with keeping the side in the tie ahead of next week’s return in Glasgow.
Clement on threat of Kiev
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been speaking about Dynamo Kiev ahead of the clash in Poland.
Whilst the Belgian has big respect for the Ukrainian team, Clement firmly believes Rangers have what it takes to reach the Champions League Playoff.
The winner of Rangers’ tie with Dynamo Kiev will face either FC Twente or RB Salzburg for a place in the Champions League proper.
“I believe we have all the quality to do that,” said Clement when asked if Rangers can progress v Dynamo Kiev.
“It’s about finding the right balance. It’s about taking the moments. Mentally-wise, they are ready, I feel.
“It’s about taking experience together with some new players coming in and then doing the right things.
“You play against a team, and I know them really well because I played them, I don’t know how long ago it was, four or five years ago.
“We qualified against them with Club Brugge, also in the qualifiers for Champions League.
“I see a lot of players still here who played for them that day.
“They are really a team that has been building for years together with their automatism.”
Later Clement added: “These are different games to the normal league game that we have, where you have the domination, where you have the ball most of the time.
“And even though we didn’t play a good first half against Heart, we were still at 63 per cent of the ball possession.
“That’s really difficult against Dynamo, because they’re really, really strong on the ball and holding the ball and making good combinations.
“So, it’s another level, it’s a different style of playing, and that’s really interesting now.
“To challenge, that’s why we wanted also these kind of games in our preparation, to play against teams who are strong in those things, to get the experience already with the boys. Otherwise it would be too much of a surprise.
“So, I don’t expect us to have 60 per cent of the ball possession tomorrow. We don’t need it. We come in for a result, not only to have the ball.”
