Rangers take on Lyon at Ibrox on Thursday night in their Europa League Group A opener and we’ve put together a Gers Predicted XI for the game.
The visitors are without several valuable players for the contest, including Moussa Dembele and Leo Dubois, but Brazil internationals Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes and former Liverpool and Bayern Munich attacker Xherdan Shaqiri all travelled despite previous doubts about their availability.
Steven Gerrard doesn’t have a full squad to pick from either, with both Ryan Jack and Filip Helander sidelined.
However, in a major boost for the hosts’ hopes, Connor Goldson is back available after missing the weekend trip to St Johnstone whilst self-isolating.
We’ve made three changes to the side that defeated the Saints 2-1 and they all come at the back, with Allan McGregor, Goldson and Borna Barisic coming in to replace Jon McLaughlin, Helander and Calvin Bassey.
James Tavernier is set to continue at right-back and Leon Balogun should partner Goldson.
There’s a settled look to the rest of the side, with Steven Davis, Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo making up a three-man midfield, while Kemar Roofe, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos should provide plenty of threat at the top end of the pitch.
Players who will also be under consideration for selection include John Lundstram, Scott Arfield, Scott Wright and Fashion Sakala, but they may be more likely to feature from the bench, while there’s a chance that Juninho Bacuna could make his Rangers debut at some stage depending on the match situation.
Rangers Predicted XI vs Lyon (H) – 16/09/2021
GK – Allan McGregor
RB – James Tavernier
CB – Connor Goldson
CB – Leon Balogun
LB – Borna Barisic
CDM – Steven Davis
CM – Joe Aribo
CM – Glen Kamara
RIF – Kemar Roofe
LIF – Ryan Kent
ST – Alfredo Morelos
