With several players unavailable in key positions, the Rangers team will almost ‘pick itself’ for Tuesday night’s encounter with Ajax.
It would be fair to say that Gio van Bronckhorst’s squad is depleted ahead of an intriguing night which isn’t quite do or die, but there is still plenty at stake at Ibrox as the curtain comes down on Rangers Champions League involvement for this season.
Following the weekend win over Aberdeen, Ben Davies and Ridvan Yilmaz have been added to the list of absentees whilst midfield mainstay John Lundstram is ruled out due to suspension having picked up a caution in Naples last week.
In defence and midfield, Rangers are now struggling for bodies. That isn’t an exaggeration.
Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Fil Helander join Davies to make it four central defenders on the sidelines with only 18-year old Leon King remaining. In the engine room, Lundstram as well as Ryan Jack and Tom Lawrence are not in contention.
Replacements
James Sands would appear to be a certain starter in central defence, given that Lundstram would have been the other possibility. Whilst Borna Barisic slotted in, against Napoli that was because Ridvan was operating on the left flank. That won’t be happening on Tuesday evening.
Rangers were already short of a body or two in midfield, an area that needs attention in January so Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and Malik Tillman will be frontrunners, whilst Glen Kamara is due to return to the squad.
Put it this way, the bench will tell a story with a few youngsters set to be named. Come 7pm tomorrow night, there is next to no chance of any surprises when Gio’s starting line-up is confirmed.