Rangers travel to Villarreal on Thursday for their first match in the Europa League proper.
It’s the first group stage level European game Rangers have played in eight years. And it’s fair to say that both fans and players alike are buzzing to show the continent what we can do.
Thursday’s game is arguably the hardest of the group and Rangers will be happy to get it out the way first. More than that, they’ll be trying to nick something in El Madrigal. Villarreal’s form has been very stop-start and they are missing a few players through injury.
So how exactly do Rangers set up in Spain?
Morelos a big loss but Lafferty a good out ball
Having no Alfredo Morelos is a big loss for Rangers. The combative striker has been a key figure in our European run so far but some petulance against Ufa saw Rangers play without him for most of the game. And see him suspended for this one.
Jon Flanagan is also suspended after being sent off in the same game.
Here’s a complete list of who’s out.
Lafferty, who got a short run out against Dundee, looks set to start up front for the team.
The Northern Irishman is an experienced figure up front and will do a job for Rangers. He provides a useful out ball and is great at both holding play up and running the channels. Rangers will need a big performance from him to win.
I expect Arfield will fulfil Jack’s role in midfield, playing alongside Coulibaly and Ejaria. The latter has been superb for Rangers at times, particularly in Europe. It’s a stage where Ovie Ejaria can flourish.
Similar to other European away days so far
I expect Rangers will play similarly to how they did in Osijek and Maribor. That is defending deep and resolutely, and springing counter attacks from midfield to the flanks. The idea will be to frustrate the opposition but give them enough of the ball. It’s then up to the team to be neat, tidy and ruthless when they win it back.
Its about concentrating and being disciplined.
Having Borna Barisic in the squad is huge too. The left back is an attacking threat but also a solid defender and provides balance on the left with Tavernier on the right. How they perform on Thursday is key to the Gers success.
If Rangers can stick to their tactics, move and press as a team and some of our key man have top games, then there’s no reason we can’t come away with something.
Fans might not expect three points.
But from what we’ve seen so far, I think we can expect a tactically astute performance.
4-3-3
GK – MCGREGOR
DR – TAVERNIER
DC – GOLDSON
DC – KATIC
DL – BARISIC
CDM – COULIBALY
CM – ARFIELD
CM – EJARIA
LW – KENT
ST – LAFFERTY
RW – CANDEIAS
