Rangers FC take on FC Ufa in the first leg of the Europa League play-offs this Thursday and the Gers will go into the match as the favourites.
Ufa do not possess much of threat to the Light Blues but the manager is expected to name a strong first eleven in the hopes that his team can wrap up the tie in the first leg itself so that he can rest some of his regulars for the second leg – as it takes place days before the first Old Firm Derby of the season.
Rangers vs Ufa: Rangers team news:
Steven Gerrard is expected to make a number of changes to his first eleven that took the field during the 1-3 win vs Kilmarnock during the weekend.
While summer signing McGregor will be in goal, Borna Barisic will be replaced with Jon Flanagan as the former is ineligible for the tie. Flanagan was suspended for the last European encounter but with him returning back, the former Liverpool man should slot straight into the left-back role.
James Tavernier who played the full 90 minutes during the weekend will hopefully start the game at right-back alongside the central defensive pairing of Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic.
Ovie Ejaria has not been in the best of forms since joining the club and we expect Gerrard to push him to the bench and play Ross McCrorie in his position.
Andy Halliday who started the League Cup game during the weekend will also move to the bench in order to make way for Ryan Jack while Scott Arfield is the only midfielder who is expected to keep his place in the first eleven from the Kilmarnock game.
Jamie Murphy picked up an injury during the weekend and was replaced by Candeias pretty early in the match. Murphy has been ruled out with an injury meaning that Candeias will start in the right wing with loanee Ryan Kent occupying the left flank and in form striker Alfredo Morelos playing down the middle.
Rangers vs Ufa: Rangers predicted line up:
Goalkeeper: McGregor.
Defence: Flanagan, Katic, Goldson, Tavernier.
Midfield: McCrorie, Jack, Arfield.
Attack: Kent, Morelos, Candeias.,
