Rangers FC kicked off their 2020-21 SPFL campaign with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen away from home and next up they return to the Europa League.
The Gers take on Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of the Round of 16 in Germany and the Scottish side still have a lot to fight for, at least on paper.
Leverkusen have a 3-1 lead from the first leg of the tie meaning Steven Gerrard’s men will have to work their socks off in order to progress to the next round. But knowing the kind of manager Gerrard is, we do not think Rangers FC will go down without a proper fight.
Rangers FC team news vs Bayer Leverkusen:
James Tavernier and Borna Barisic will keep their place as the two full-backs on Thursday but the central defensive pairing is going to see a change.
Leon Balogun started against Aberdeen but he will not be able to play in the Europa League since he’s a signing for the new season. This means either George Edmundson or Filip Helander will come into the side and partner Connor Goldson.
Ryan Jack, Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara played some pretty solid football during the weekend and the trio should reprise their role vs the Bundesliga side in midweek.
Ryan Kent scored the only goal of the game for Rangers FC during the season opener and he will once again start on the left-hand side of the attack while Ianis Hagi will play on the right.
Jermain Defoe still remains an injury doubt meaning Alfredo Morelos will lead the line against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek.
The Gers have a mountain to climb but if they can manage to score an early goal then surely they have the firepower in them to trouble Leverkusen for the rest of the match and possibly force them into a mistake.
Rangers’ predicted XI vs Leverkusen:
Predicted Starting XI:Â McGregor; Goldson, Edmundson/Helander, Barisic, Tavernier; Kamara, Joe Aribo, Ryan Jack; Ianis Hagi, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos.
