Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim has claimed he will select his strongest team for the upcoming Europa League qualifier against Rangers, as quoted by the Glasgow Times.
The two sides will do battle from 7:45pm on Thursday at Ibrox, with a place in the group stages at stake.
The Gers swept aside both Lincoln Red Imps and Willem II to reach the play-off round but now Steven Gerrard’s men will be tested against much stronger opposition.
Weakened Gala teams defeated Neftchi Baku and Hadjuk Split in the earlier qualifiers but Terim says he’ll be going all out in Govan.
“I will turn all my attention to Rangers now,” he said, speaking after his side’s goalless draw with Fenerbahce on Sunday, as quoted by the Glasgow Times. “The Europa League is very important to us in many ways and of course, we will play our strongest team.”
“At the moment, we are playing every three or four days and that can be a factor. But we just have to deal with it. It always hurts when you don’t win a derby game and we have a chance to put it right this week in Glasgow.”
Galatasaray boss says he will select strongest team vs Rangers in Europa League qualifier – Verdict
The likes of Arda Turan and Radamel Falcao have only been used from the start in the Super Lig so far this season, but these comments from Terim suggest that both players will be let loose at Ibrox on Thursday night.
Ex-Barcelona player Turan secured legend status in Turkish football when he recently reached 100 international appearances, making him the fifth most-capped player ever for the country.
Falcao has 89 caps for Colombia and has won the Europa League twice, once with Porto and once with Atletico Madrid.
Monaco paid £51m to sign him from Atletico in 2013 [Independent] but even at 34, he’s lethal in front of goal, netting three times in three appearances so far this season.
Rangers will need to work hard to keep both players quiet, while Steven Gerrard’s former Liverpool teammate Ryan Babel will also provide a threat, whether he earns a start or is used as an impact substitute.
