Premiership leaders Rangers will be looking to make it into the third qualifying round of this season’s UEFA Europa League when they travel to the Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar to take on the Lincoln Red Imps. The Ibrox club boast a considerably superior roster as well as fan-following when compared to the home side, but by no means will this outing be an easy one for Gerrard’s men. Progressing in European competition is sure to be an important ambition for both sides involved, making for what could be an entertaining ninety minutes of football between the teams.
Rangers’ most recent league outing finished with a 4-0 scoreline, as they hammered Dundee United to maintain their place atop the Premiership table. With the Gers’ Old Firm rivals Celtic set to play out their third qualifying round fixture next week, Gerrard’s side will be eager to get to that position as well. While Celtic have already played in a European clash this season, this match will be Rangers’ first continental commitment of the new campaign. Having started the season in sensational style, progress in this competition is undoubtedly going to be treated with the utmost importance.
Team News
Steven Gerrard’s men have been falling like flies over recent weeks, with a whopping four injuries added on last weekend’s league match against Dundee United. The most concerning knock of the lot is that of Joe Aribo, who is expected to face around a month on the sidelines. Another one of the key names who had to come off injured in that match was Scottish midfield anchor Ryan Jack, whose absence will come as a huge miss. In attack too, Alfredo Morelos and Brandon Barker are both unlikely to be fit, while Nigerian defender Leon Balogun also pulled out of last weekend’s fixture.
Here Is The Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup Vs Lincoln Red Imps:
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup Vs Lincoln Red Imps
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
Summer signing Jon McLaughlin is yet to concede a professional goal for Rangers this season, which means that his place in the side is unlikely to come under question in the upcoming weeks. In front of him though, Gerrard could opt to make a tactical change. Filip Helander started the weekend outing in place of the injured Balogun, but that slot could now be taken up by George Edmundson for this European clash. Connor Goldson is expected to continue alongside him in the heart of the defence, with James Tavernier and Borna Barisic likely to operate in the full-back slots.
Midfield
This new-look Rangers side will be without the services of both Jack and Aribo for this clash. While Aribo’s offensive play has been good so far, the structure and security that Jack brings to the table cannot be underplayed. In their absence, expect the two midfield roles to be filled by Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield. While the former Arsenal man will be responsible for keeping the ball moving, Arfield will be tasked with finding inroads into the Red Imps’ defence line. The former Premier League ace impressed heavily after coming on in the second half last weekend.
Attack
The attack is where Gerrard is expected to make a couple of changes, as the likes of Morelos and Barker face spells on the sidelines. Despite Kemar Roofe’s good form recently, expect the gaffer to use this match as a chance to start Swiss striker Cedric Itten. Romanian trickster Ianis Hagi is likely to start in the number ten slot, just in behind the main striker. Ryan Kent is expected to continue on one of the flanks, while out-of-favour attacker Greg Stewart could be given a rare start by Gerrard for this midweek encounter as well.
