Rangers will begin their big week with a Thursday night clash against Legia Warsaw before taking on Celtic at the weekend. The Gers still have a lot to do in Europe even though they are just one game away from the Europa League main draws. The first leg against Warsaw ended in a goalless draw, and the Gers were hanging on a draw for the most of the second half.
Gerrard will be aware that any scoring draw will put them out of the race so Rangers will need to keep things tight defensively. Warsaw are known to have a tight defence as they didn’t concede at home in any of the previous rounds. Rangers will hope that egged by the boisterous home support; they can see off the Polish heavyweights at Ibrox.
Team News: Sheyi Ojo suffered a knock after the first leg, and he wasn’t involved in the league game against St. Mirren. But Gerrard revealed (Daily Star) that the on-loan winger should have a good chance to recover by Thursday. Apart from that, none of the major first-team options have any injury concerns.
Rangers Predicted Lineup Vs Legia Warsaw
Formation (4-3-3)
Defence
Allan McGregor put in an inspired display last time around in Poland, and he will again need to be at his best in goal. Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic will have to pick up their game as they looked vulnerable in the first leg. Filip Helander is likely only to have a position on the bench.
James Tavernier is a guaranteed starter in the right-back position. Borna Barisic might have grabbed the headlines after his winner at the weekend, but Gerrard is likely to go in with the defensively solid Jon Flanagan at left-back. The Englishman allows someone like Tavernier the liberty to bomb forward as he tucks in at the back to keep things organised.
Midfield
Steven Davis is expected to start in midfield in a deeper role. He will look to control the game. Ryan Jack will provide everything Gerrard would need from a midfielder, and the Scotsman should be a nailed-on starter. Joe Aribo provides the x-factor in central areas, and he is likely to start over Glen Kamara.
Attack
Scott Arfield will likely play on the right side, but he will often drift inside in central areas. Sheyi Ojo is expected to be fit so he should play on the left. If he misses out, then Jordan Jones is an obvious replacement. Alfredo Morelos is likely to start over Jermain Defoe upfront in this all-important clash.
