Rangers return to Europa League action against Lech Poznan tonight with Steven Gerrard in the enviable position of having an almost fully fit squad to choose from.
Having made five changes on Saturday for the visit of Livingston, the gaffer could do something similar as he looks to juggle success in domestic and continental football.
Tonight’s fixture might come too early for Bongani Zungu with the South African international midfielder now available for selection after completing the necessary quarantine period, all without any moaning or complaining to the government about how unfair it is, expect to see the 28-year old on the bench next week and potentially a first start against Hamilton before the international break.
The rotation between Filip Helander and Leon Balogun has been working well and the latter should return to the starting XI, Borna Barisic might join him in the defence, however, Calvin Bassey has certainly done enough to suggest that there should be nothing to worry about if the Croatian isn’t 100% yet.
In midfield the gaffer faces a difficult decision with Steven Davis likely to be rested, Glen Kamara and Ryan Jack will have either Scott Arfield or Joe Aribo alongside them, the latter started at the weekend so he might be the one that sits out against the Poles.
Who Gerrard will pick in attack is a little more difficult, although he has been struggling for goals of late, Alfredo Morelos remains a key component of Rangers overall attacking play and as such, he could start, unless he feels that the weekend trip to Kilmarnock is better suited to the Colombian international.
Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi remain our most creative players and whether it is Morelos or Roofe, I’d expect them to line up in attack charged with providing the ammunition for those around them.
Here is the team I’d pick for us to get a crucial three points that would almost certainly see us put one foot in the knockout rounds and European football after Christmas:
I’ve gone with Roofe up front purely for the reason I’ve given already, I just feel that with the weekend’s fixture being on an artificial pitch, we have enough quality in Morelos, Cedric Itten and Jermain Defoe to avoid risking him and a repeat of the injury suffered against St Joseph’s.
Whats your prediction?
Win
Draw
Loss
If he isn’t fit enough to start then El Bufalo should be fine to play at least 60 minutes tonight and again at Rugby Park after being rested against Livingston, also, I’d rather Barisic played on grass tonight than the less forgiving plastic pitch on Sunday – Bassey’s physicality could also be an additional asset.
We have managed competing on both fronts well so far this season – with injury problems – and Gerrard will know that three points tonight would go a long way towards progressing to the next round, the thought of being able to rest players for the last couple of games is a prospect that years ago would’ve seemed impossible such has been the improvement seen under the Gers boss.