Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was coy when asked about the absences in the Royal Antwerp squad ahead of the club’s Europa League last 32 clash in Belgium.
Antwerp boss Franky Vercauteren bemoaned the absences in his team ahead of the Ibrox club’s visit with an eighth absence confirmed by the fact defender Dylan Batubinsika isn’t with the squad.
Batubinsika joins the likes of form striker Didier Lamkel Zé (suspended) on the sidelines whilst fellow striker Dieumerci Mbokani is a doubt after only just returning from injury.
Midfielder Alexis De Sart, goalkeeper Jean Butez and defensive midfielder Faris Haroun are all also currently sidelined.
However, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard won’t be side-tracked by all the paper talk with the ex-Liverpool hero sure Royal Antwerp have a squad to cope.
“I don’t think because they’ve got some absentee they’re going to change the way that the play instead of systems and formations,” said Gerrard [Rangers].
“We always try and cover the recent games that they’ve played and they seem to have stuck with a similar system, although within that system sometimes they go with two number 9s, or two number 10s, with a back five.
“Listen they’re a squad littered with talented players, they’re a big squad so I’m sure they’ll manage without their absentees
“I know some of them will return for the second leg but all our focus on the first 90 minutes of the tie.
“We’re up against a very experienced manager and they’re sitting in a nice position in the league in second place, so we’re going over there with big respect and we know it’ll be a big challenge.
“But we’re really looking forward to it and we’re in a good place ourselves and I think it’ll be a fantastic game over both legs.”
Rangers will be hoping to lay down a marker in Belgium ahead of the return leg in Scotland next week – here’s our predicted XI for the clash at the Bosuilstadion.
