Goldson dropped & Balogun starts; Rangers predicted XI to face Servette

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Goldson dropped & Balogun starts; Rangers predicted XI to face Servette
Rangers' Nigerian defender Leon Balogun celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the UEFA Europa League group A football match between Rangers and Brondby at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow on October 21, 2021. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Having got our last XI horribly wrong, which delighted us, we’re going to go again for Servette and see if Ibrox Noise can bring you an accurate selection (in fairness our first leg Servette pick itself was only one man out).

So without further ado, here’s the XI we believe Michael Beale will select, with a hint of ‘if he doesn’t, he’s nuts’:

In goals obviously Butland. There’s barely any reason to quote this given he’s the number one now.

In defence… unfortunately we just cannot see past Tavernier over Sterling. There’s an immunity here for the captain, if he’s fit he plays. Just like Big Jig all those years ago.

The question is the pairing in the middle. As Ibrox Noise readers agree in their thousands, John Souttar and Leon Balogun are our strongest duo, but given Connor Goldson was ‘rested’ v Livi, every chance he will be straight back in, sadly. At the left it’s Barisic because not only is he in form, but Ridvan is injured.

Midfield will either be Raskin, Cantwell and Cifuentes, or Jack will be there instead of one of them… tough to know who, but we’d actually say Raskin based on current form.

Attack? Well, some outlets reckon Dessers is getting dropped, but Ronald de Boer was more positive about the Nigerian, the ex-Ibrox legend familiar with the Nigerian from his time in Holland. Meanwhile Sam Lammers and Danilo will likely retain their places as well – Matondo is not available for this one, having been omitted from the Euro squad.

So… your Ibrox Noise XI:

Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Barisic; Cifuentes, Raskin, Cantwell; Lammers; Danilo; Dessers

Basically the same XI who started the last one. The honourable mentions are Jack who may well get the nod, and sadly Goldson, who probably will let’s face it.

But the starting XI we’ve picked is only one man (Sterling) short of the best we theoretically have at the moment, aside from Matondo’s Livi cameo.

Let’s see what he goes with.

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