Giovanni van Bronckhorst could be ready to start USA international James Sands in Germany following the blow to Leon Balogun and Rangers’ defensive poverty at present.

The Famous flew to Dortmund with a strong midfield and attacking contingent, but defence is threadbare, and down to just 5 defenders in Zakowski, Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey and Barisic.

With Sands being known as a midfielder, the American deputised v Annan in defence but hardly in a test worthy of preparing him for Dortmund, and Gio may well be considering whether the former NYCFC star is ready to face Marco Reus and co.

The Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey and Barisic combination has become a lot less reliable in the past month, and isn’t filling Rangers fans with a lot of confidence.

It certainly struggled against Celtic, albeit has gone three matches with clean sheets – it must be remembered though only one of those was against a credible side in Hearts, while the other two were against cannon fodder in Hibs and Annan.

It is time for Sands?

He is only 21, not exactly experienced, and this would be the highest standard of opponent he’s ever faced by a long, long way, and it would be a gamble to start him at the back.

It all depends how reliable Gio considers Calvin Bassey to be, and how ‘in-form’ he views Borna Barisic.

It’s a big, big call and hopefully the manager gets it right.