Rangers have confirmed their starting XI for the Europa League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox.
Rangers are set to welcome the Belgian outfit to Ibrox in the Europa League, two and a half years on from facing USG in the Champions League qualifiers.
The Ibrox side will be hoping for a repeat of the 3-0 victory over USG under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and here’s Philippe Clement’s Rangers starting XI for the clash in Glasgow.
Rangers starting XI v Union Saint-Gilloise
Rangers start with Jack Butland between the sticks after the Ibrox number one returned for clashes with Manchester United and Dundee United last week.
In the centre of defence, Leon King starts for Rangers alongside Robin Propper amid a spate of defensive call-offs.
Rangers captain James Tavernier starts at right back and will lead the team out at Ibrox, with Brazilian defender Jefte continuing at left-back amid links to Chelsea.
Mohamed Diomande missed the Europa League trip to Manchester United through suspension and had a red card shown to him against Dundee United overturned in the week.
The midfielder starts alongside the impressive Belgian hopeful Nicolas Raskin, who has turned heads in the Europa League this season.
Rangers then start with Nedim Bajrami of the left with Vaclav Cerny returning one week on from going off injured against Man United at Old Trafford.
Hamza Igamane then occupies the space right behind the striker with form hitman Cyriel Dessers getting the nod in the out-and-out number nine role.
In more positive news, John Souttar returns to the Rangers defence after spending six weeks sidelined with injury.
Rangers team to play USG: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Propper, Jefte, Raskin, Diomande, Bajrami, Yilmaz, Igamane, Dessers
Substitutions: Kelly, Munn, Souttar, Lawrence, McCausland, Rice, Curtis, Lovelace, Nsio, Hutton
Rangers can still earn top-eight Europa League finish
Rangers are already through to the Europa League playoffs but can still finish in the top-eight of the competition if they overcome USG and other results go their way this evening.
Should the Gers make the top eight, they would get an automatic bye into the last 16 of the competition.
Firstly the Gers need to focus on the task of overcoming the Belgians, something Philippe Clement insists will be a ‘tough’ task.
Rangers then need at least one of the club’s currently occupying 5th to 8th in the Europa League table to lose.
Depending on the outcome of the teams playing those matches, Rangers then need several or all of the teams between 9th and 12th to drop points.
There’s quite a bit to it, but have a look at the easiest route for Rangers to guarantee a top eight Europa League finish to get your head around it!
