There is a very nostalgic look to the Europa League this season, clubs with Champions League pedigree scattered all over the competition and Rangers campaign kicking off with a trip down memory lane with the visit of Lyon.
The 2008 UEFA Cup Final run started in the Champions League and it doesn’t feel like it was 14 years ago that a young Karim Benzema announced himself on the biggest stage with a dazzling display at Ibrox, here’s hoping that the current crop have a significantly quieter night in front of goal.
Steven Gerrard has a few selection issues, Filip Helander, Ryan Jack and Ianis Hagi all absent, all of whom would arguably have started had they been fit and available but the gaffer has other options now and players that he knows can be trusted to get the job done.
The biggest selection issue surrounds Connor Goldson and whether or not he will be fit, the word “on the street” is that his isolation period ends on Tuesday so, we should – hopefully – see him in the starting XI.
With this in mind, this is the team I think Gerrard will go with to get our Europa League campaign off to a flyer:
The defence, without Helander, picks itself and although Jon McLaughlin has been playing more regularly, I’d still expect Allan McGregor to come back in – unless the gaffer isn’t telling us something about the veteran keeper.
Who he picks in midfield could depend on what his plan is for the front three and where he is going to start Joe Aribo, I think he will start in a deeper role but it wouldn’t surprise me if Scott Arfield or John Lundstram are selected to allow the Nigerian international to play further forward.
In attack, personally, I’d like to see Fashion Sakala alongside Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent, but think that Kemar Roofe’s movement and finishing will see him get the nod, I just think the extra pace that the Zambian has could prove to be useful against a team that will leave space behind their defence.
Lyon are a very good side and a lot of our game plan will depend on who is available and how fit certain individuals are, it could either be one of containment and counter attack or an aggressive pressing game, we’ll get a better indication round about seven o’clock tonight.