Rangers fans know better than most football fans of clubs still in the Europa League, or any other UEFA competition for that matter, about what the rules and regulations are for squad sizes.
A bizarre decision from Michael Beale and negligence over several transfer windows sees current Gers boss Philippe Clement with a squad full of academy players – he was clearly not happy about having to change formation against Sparta Prague.
The Rangers manager has brought a few new faces into Ibrox for the second half of the campaign but who has made it into his Europa League squad?
Rangers players learn Europa League squad fate
Only 22 senior players are permitted because of the lack of club trained and association trained players available to Clement which means that several senior members have to drop out and sit in the stands.
To make matters worse, Rangers can’t just add Fabio Silva, Mohamed Dipmande and Oscar Cortes either.
Danilo, Kieran Dowell, Abdallah Sima and Keane Roofe are out for the long term and Sam Lammers and, probably, Jose Cifuentes have moved to other clubs.
Five players dropping out but only three can be added.
Then there is the Leon Balogun and Ridvan Yilmaz shambles.
Balogun is now one of Clement’s go to men and Ridvan has established himself as first choice left-back.
That we went through the group stages with only one recognised left-back says everything you need to know about the make up of the squad.
To make matters worse, Adam Devine has gone out on loan to Motherwell and can’t be included now.
It’s never been plain sailing for the gaffer and there’s never been a dull day.
These are the changed to the Rangers squad that Philippe Clement will have when the last 16 of the Europa League takes place in March, as reported by Andy Newport.
It’s a shame for Cortes but Clement can use other players on the right-hand side including Diomande, the desire to have a specialist left-back and the need for support to Cyriel Dessers with Silva has almost forced the manager.
It’s pretty clear that Clement doesn’t think much of some of the calls that Beale made when the squad was first verified.
