Barry Ferguson has some big decisions to make with his Rangers team ahead of the Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.
Ferguson masterminded the first-leg win v Fenerbahce, switching formation to allow Rangers to pounce on the counter-attack and secure an impressive 3-1 victory.
It’s all still to play for in the Europa League second leg at Ibrox, with Jose Mourinho warning Rangers to cool their jets after the victory in Turkey.
But with some big decisions to be made over who plays and where, no fewer than six Rangers first-team players have started an Academy clash against Crystal Palace.
Europa League options start at Auchenhowie
Rangers have welcomed Crystal Palace to Auchenhowie for a special friendly clash ahead of this week’s Europa League return leg v Fenerbahce.
The point of the fixture is clearly to give minutes to the younger or more fringe members of the Rangers squad with six first-team stars playing a part.
Lille loanee Rafael Fernandes started v Crystal Palace but the defender is not in the Rangers Europa League squad.
However French defender Clinton Nsiala – who has started alongside Fernandes – is one of three new additions to the squad for the knockout campaign.
Nsiala hasn’t featured for the Rangers first team since Barry Ferguson hooked the defender off in the first-half for the 4-2 comeback victory over Kilmarnock.
It was a major blow for the young defender and former Rangers centre-back Colin Hendry has urged Nsiala to get back to basics.
It’s a far cry from Nsiala being compared to Virgil van Dijk just weeks previously.
Now it appears the 21-year-old defender will be made to wait to make his European debut after being included v Palace.
The centre-back joined Rangers from the AC Milan academy in the summer and is taking his first steps in the professional game this season in Glasgow.
There is also a start for Rangers winger Oscar Cortes, who has had his season decimated by a string of injury problems. The winger was removed from the Europa League squad last month.
Rangers have also started with academy trio Bailey Rice, Ross McCausland and Findlay Curtis, who have all played a role in the Europa League this season.
Rangers won the clash 1-0 courtesy of a 72nd minute goal from 17-year-old midfielder Calum Adamson.
Rangers defence boosted by returning John Souttar & Leon Balogun
Rangers’ defensive issues have been well-documented with the Ibrox side suffering following a December injury to John Souttar.
The Scotland international defender is one of the first names on the Ibrox teamsheet with Souttar putting in a colossal display against Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Leon Balogun – who has also struggled with injuries recently – came off the bench in Istanbul and also put in a commanding performance.
Rangers look much more assured with both players fit and available, their never-say-die spirit winning them plenty of fans amongst the Ibrox support.
If fit, both players are expected to start when Fenerbahce visit Ibrox later this week.
Robin Propper was wiped out by Jack Butland in Turkey but Barry Ferguson played down injury concerns at full-time.
With Clinton Nsiala playing against Crystal Palace, we suspect the French defender might still be waiting on his Europa League debut come Thursday evening.
The centre-back has impressed since breaking through into the first-team this season but it’s clear Clinton still has some big steps to take in his development.
