Rangers star Leon Balogun is set for a big test in an unfamiliar role against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The Gers face The Great Old at Ibrox in the second leg of their Round of 32 tie and will be confident following a 4-3 victory in the first leg.
However, Steven Gerrard is without several key players, including skipper James Tavernier.
Usual back-up option Nathan Patterson has returned to training after issuing an apology for breaching Covid regulations, but it’s highly unlikely that he will feature immediately after a period of isolation.
Therefore, Balogun is set to continue at right-back, a position that’s very much unfamiliar to him.
A centre-back by trade, the 32-year-old has taken to life at Rangers like a duck to water, impressing in the vast majority of his outings since joining on a free transfer in July.
He’s also adapted well to playing full-back since being deployed there for the first time as a Ger a week ago.
The Nigeria international played over an hour on the right in the first leg before filling in once more against Dundee United in the Premiership at the weekend, with his performance impressing supporters.
Yet, his biggest challenge to date will come on Thursday night.
Antwerp are travelling to Ibrox knowing they need to score at least twice to progress and they have in-form striker Didier Lamkel Zé back in the fold in a big boost to their attack.
Crucially, the visitors know in advance that Balogun is set to start at right-back and it will undoubtedly be an area that manager Franky Vercauteren looks to target.
The Great Old will try to isolate the Gers star and attack regularly down the left, with Jordan Lukaku likely to be given plenty of attacking licence.
Given his two performances so far at right-back, plenty of Bears will have confidence in Balogun to do a good job.
It’s a big ask for any player to produce a flawless display in an unfamiliar role in a high-profile European knockout tie, though, and he will need plenty of support from his teammates across the 90 minutes if Antwerp are to be kept at bay.
Ahead of the game, check out our Predicted XI as well as our Preview Video over on the Rangers News YouTube Channel.
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