Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack is set to return to Europa League action tonight following suspension and could prove key against an adventurous Braga side.
The 27-year-old missed the first leg at Ibrox following his sending off against Young Boys in the final group stages fixture.
Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and Glen Kamara started in midfield last Thursday, but Kamara was particularly off-colour and struggled to provide a buffer for the back four.
The visitors scored two on the night, but also struck the bar and had several other good opportunities, suggesting Rangers were too open on the night.
The return of Jack should help rectify that. While he’s had a stop-start 2020 to date, he was outstanding over the first half of the season and adds steel to middle of the park for the Gers.
Now very much a Scotland international, he’s a leader who won’t be afraid to let an opposition, who swaggered through the first hour of the first leg, know he’s there.
Jack also brings more threat than Kamara at the top end of the pitch. He’s markedly improved his shooting from range in recent times, netting five times and contributing a useful four assists across all competitions.
By comparison, Kamara has just a solitary goal and no assists.
The ex-Aberdeen skipper will bring a new challenge for the Braga players who will be hoping to get their own way on home turf.
With Rangers needing to carry their own threat but primarily, to be secure at the back, Jack’s ability to read the game and snuff out attacks could be key in the bid to reach the last 16.
