Rangers take on Malmo in their Champions League Third Qualifying Round first leg at the Eleda Stadion in Sweden on Tuesday evening and we’ve put together a Predicted XI for the game.
Steven Gerrard could have had more luck in terms of player availability for this extremely important first meeting, with several key men not making the trip.
Leon Balogun, Glen Kamara and Kemar Roofe are all suspended, while Ryan Jack hasn’t yet got the all-clear to return to action following surgery and Alfredo Morelos is still in self-isolation following his late return from South America.
However, there’s plenty of depth to the Rangers squad right now and the manager still has plenty of quality at his disposal.
Allan McGregor is set to return to replace Jon McLaughlin in goal and he had supporters in stitches with an unconventional press conference performance on Monday morning.
In defence, skipper James Tavernier and vice-captain Connor Goldson are set to continue but there could be two changes. Filip Helander is likely to replace the suspended Balogun while Borna Barisic should reclaim the left-back slot from Calvin Bassey.
In midfield, there’s every chance that Joe Aribo and Steven Davis will continue, with John Lundstram possibly coming into the XI for a European debut to replace the suspended Kamara.
The top end of the pitch is where there are perhaps more difficult decisions to be made.
Ryan Kent will almost certainly retain his place on the left but the identities of the two players who will occupy the remaining slots are less certain.
Ianis Hagi has travelled despite being forced off with a knock against Livingston, but he may not be risked in the starting XI, with Scott Wright potentially in line to be handed a big opportunity after impressing off the bench on Saturday.
If Wright and Kent are there providing pace on either side, Gerrard could opt to go for Cedric Itten through the middle instead of Fashion Sakala because of the Switzerland international’s extra physicality and ability to hold the ball up.
Rangers Predicted XI vs Malmo (A) – 03/08/2021
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 – Scott Wright
LIF – Ryan Kent
ST – Cedric Itten
