Rangers take on Dynamo Kyiv in a Champions League qualifier that is as finely poised as could possibly be.
When Vaclav Cerny and Cyriel Dessers combined to level the scores in Poland, a well-deserved draw saw Philippe Clement with considerably more hope.
The manager has a squad in reasonable shape with only Nicolas Raskin and Oscar Cortes injured out of those who would likely to start, Leon Balogun should still make the trip despite a minor knock.
Rangers team confirmed vs Dynamo Kyiv
He would have loved to have players of the quality of Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi at his disposal, however, their futures continue to remain uncertain.
This is your confirmed team news as Rangers look to progress to the final play-off round and land a near £4m bonus from UEFA in the process.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Clement is fully aware of how finely poised it is:
“I don’t think we have command of the tie. I think it’s two teams really at the same level. The team did really well in Kyiv tactically and it’s not easy with new players, with players coming back from injury to be that good in that game.
“I was really pleased about that. And scoring in the last minute was a deserved goal because in the end we had more shots on target than them. Of course you want a goal faster but there was also a really good goalkeeper on the other side who had a lot of international games and experience with Ukraine.
“He had a few really good saves. One from Cyriel early in the second half from a very good header to the far post was a really top quality save also.”
Rangers team news as Dynamo come to Hampden
Jack Butland has enjoyed a solid start to the season and the defence has been fine, other than a couple of lapses of concentration.
That was the biggest issue last season, and it will be hoped that Robin Propper can help to eradicate them after being largely blameless for his debut own goal.
Balogun’s fitness means that the defence is the same as the one that faced Motherwell with the midfield continuing too as Clement faces the same old problem with depth and alternate options.
There had been calls for Dujon Sterling to be recalled to midfield to add a bit of steel.
In attack though, there is a surprise, Vaclav Cerny is benched after his impressive start at Hampden with Jefte on the other side.
Ross McCausland gets another chance to impress, an end product has to be his goal tonight.
Jefte caused Dynamo all sorts of problems down Rangers left in an advanced position and put in a series of dangerous crosses so it is good to see him selected even if Cerny’s absence is a blow.
The Gers boss also suggested that there will be subtle changes in approach as he looks to make his job easier by landing the bigger transfer budget that Champions League football would bring.
