Rangers travel to Spain to see if they can do the unthinkable and extend their season by another couple of weeks.
A place in the semi-final of the Europa League would be as incredible as it is unthinkable, and yet, with this Rangers squad, anything is possible.
According to interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson though, it won’t be straight forward with a cast of walking wounded set to board the plane.
Nine changes were made to the starting XI against Aberdeen to rest those who are most likely to line up against Athletic Club with Nicolas Raskin, Vaclav Cerny and Leon Balogun not even in the squad.
With nothing else to play for, and the gravitas of what is at stake, the Rangers boss has a big decision to make.
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Barry Ferguson on Rangers walking wounded against Athletic Club
Speaking after the dramatic draw at Pittodrie, Ferguson hinted that those who aren’t fully fit, might miss out:
“I think we can see who wasn’t in the squad,” Ferguson said when asked who was struggling for fitness.
“So, I just need to wait and see their reaction over the next couple of days. We left straight after training, so I’ll find out tomorrow, Tuesday at the latest.
“But I’m not going to take any chances. I need people who… You’re never 100% when you play games of football, but I need people as close to that because we know how difficult it’s going to be.”
Is it right for Ferguson not to play those carrying knocks?
Nonsense. If a player is fit enough to travel and they can make a difference for Rangers, they should be starting.
Ferguson as a player used to consistently play through the pain barrier, even delaying surgery for a hip/pelvis injury that plagued one season at the club.
The other side of the coin is that every player should want to play in this game, it is why professional footballers do what they do.
Players like Raskin, Cerny and Balogun will be vital if Rangers are to progress to the next round and Ferguson should even consider leaving them out if they have trained.
The strongest XI with no square pegs in round holes is a necessity, regardless of how much it might hurt for those tasked with doing the unthinkable.
