One surprise in team selection as Rangers face Alashkert

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One surprise in team selection as Rangers face Alashkert
210803 Steven Gerrard, head coach of Rangers during the UEFA Champions League qualifying match between Malmö FF and Rangers on August 3, 2021 in Malmö. Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRAN / kod PA / PA0261 fotboll football soccer fotball champions league kval qualifying round qualification rangers malmö ff bbeng *** 210803 Steven Gerrard, head coach of Rangers during the UEFA Champions League qualifying match between Malmö FF and Rangers on August 3, 2021 in Malmö Photo Petter Arvidson BILDBYRAN kod PA PA0261 fotboll football soccer fotball champions league kval qualifying round qualification rangers malmö ff bbeng, PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxAUT Copyright: PETTERxARVIDSON BB210803PA016

Steven Gerrard, in Glasgow, isolating, has picked the expected XI to face Alashkert tonight, with the one surprise being no Kieran Wright on the bench as backup.

Instead it’s youngster Nicky Hogarth who gets the nod to be Robby McCrorie’s deputy.

Otherwise it is player for player and position for position the team we told you yesterday, not that there were exactly many other alternatives.

The starting XI isn’t bad at all, it’s in fact a very strong selection, but we have a number of concerns:

Borna Barisic’s fitness is a little unknown. He’s been carrying something since the Old Firm last season and clearly isn’t fully at it yet. He could be a weakness.

We have no sub midfielders of a senior variety at all, meaning we have to hope Scott Arfield’s fitness is up to a full 90 minutes.

The bench is quite simply the worst in the club’s history, with just two senior players and only one of them not a defender.

And the pitch is a massive concern too – word is it isn’t good at all, and will not help Rangers’ passing game. This could easily play into the hands of the hosts who are all about hitting on the break and balls over the top. Plus the potential for injuries when that’s the last thing we need.

It’s a lively one and we’ll watch with interest to see how Gary Mac and Michael Beale do from the sidelines not to mention our players out there…

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