Rangers manager Steven Gerrard should draft in the oft-benched Jon McLaughlin for Thursday night’s clash against Lech Poznan.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper joined the Gers in June on a two-year deal, to provide competition for Allan McGregor.
The former Hearts and Sunderland stopper benefitted from McGregor’s early-season struggles with injury and played a big part in a record-breaking run of clean sheets that eventually ended with a 2-2 draw at Hibernian in September.
Since then, McGregor has re-established himself as the no.1 and McLaughlin’s opportunities have been relatively few and far between.
He hasn’t featured at all in the Europa League to date, not even during the qualifiers, watching on from the bench for all eight of the Gers’ fixtures so far this campaign.
However, with progression to the Round of 32 already secured, the fixture against Lech Poznan provides the perfect opportunity for Gerrard to give his summer signing game time in the competition.
It’s not as if picking the Scotland international drastically weakens the side, either.
McLaughlin has only conceded twice in 900 minutes of action since his move, keeping nine clean sheets in ten Gers appearances.
McGregor broke the club’s European appearances record against Standard Liege last week and with that milestone in the bag, a rest would likely do him good ahead of big away games at Dundee United and St Mirren.
Therefore, it’s a low-risk selection call that suits all parties and it’s one that Gerrard is likely to make.
If McLaughlin does make the XI in Poland, he won’t be the only Gers player making their first-ever Europa League start.
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