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Gerrard in selection hint as former Ger backs key decision

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Image for Gerrard in selection hint as former Ger backs key decision

Rangers take on Royal Antwerp tonight as the Europa League returns and Leon Balogun has been tipped to retain his place in the starting XI by a former Ger with plenty of big game experience.

Alan Hutton, speaking to Football Insider, feels that the Nigerian international’s inclusion against Kilmarnock at the weekend was a nod to his selection against the Belgians.

“We always know it’s Connor Goldson plus one other so the way I’m looking at it is Balogun came in at the weekend so I wonder if that’s the thinking behind the European game.

“Obviously he’s got that little bit of extra pace over Helander so, thinking ahead towards Thursday night, maybe Gerrard is more looking towards that. Give him a game before the big Thursday night game, get him bedded back in and use his pace.

“Defensively I think they are very similar but obviously Balogun just edges it for pace.”

Filip Helander rarely puts a foot wrong and for all that Balogun fired a back pass out for a corner from almost halfway and nearly gave a penalty away against Killie, Hutton could be right, his pace is a valuable asset depending on the opposition.

Who do you pick?

Filip Helander

Filip Helander

Leon Balogun

Leon Balogun

Against more physical teams Helander is immense, he is just an out and out defender, that he has never lost a league game in the Scottish Premiership says it all about the qualities he brings to our defence, my only fear with Balogun is that he doesn’t have the positional awareness of the big Swede.

It’s a decision Steven Gerrard has to make and will no doubt be down to how Antwerp set up, a luxury we have waited a long time to have – which international defender to choose from?

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