Ahead of Rangers’ Europa League playoff first leg against Alashkert at Ibrox, we’ve put together a Predicted XI.
The Gers take on the Armenian champions on Thursday night and are expected to win comfortably, given that they are 127 places above their opponents in the UEFA club coefficient.
Steven Gerrard won’t be taking Alashkert lightly, though, and will pick a strong team in the hope of putting the tie to bed at Ibrox.
He won’t be able to call upon Kemar Roofe or Glen Kamara, with both players suspended, while Fashion Sakala was omitted from the squad and Ryan Jack is unlikely to be fit enough to feature.
A host of changes are likely to be made from the side that hammered Dunfermline 5-0 in the Premier Sports Cup on Friday, with Allan McGregor replacing Jon McLaughlin in goal in the first of them.
There could be as many as three changes to the back four, with James Tavernier, Filip Helander and Borna Barisic our picks to come in for Nathan Patterson, Jack Simpson and Calvin Bassey, with Connor Goldson staying put.
Plenty of supporters feel that Bassey deserves to keep his spot at left-back, but the much more experienced Barisic gets our vote.
In midfield, John Lundstram and Joe Aribo may keep their places, with Steven Davis swapping in for Kamara.
Finally, there could be two changes to the front three, with Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent coming in for Roofe and Scott Wright, to join Ianis Hagi.
Rangers Predicted XI vs Alashkert (H) – 19/08/2021
GK – Allan McGregor
RB – James Tavernier
CB – Connor Goldson
CB – Filip Helander
LB – Borna Barisic
CDM – Steven Davis
CM – John Lundstram
CM – Joe Aribo
RIF – Ianis Hagi
LIF – Ryan Kent
ST – Alfredo Morelos
Alashkert warmed up for their trip to Ibrox with a shock defeat to a club formed in 2019.
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