Michael Beale has confirmed that Rangers’ midfield will be missing Nico Raskin as well as Todd Cantwell for tomorrow’s visit of Real Betis, with the manager likely to field Ryan Jack, Jose Cifuentes and John Lundstram given Kieran Dowell was not included in the Europa League squad.

The beleaguered Ibrox manager faces his first-ever group match in European competition as a solo manager, having stumbled badly against PSV in the qualifiers of the Champions League, and could have done without losing Cantwell, Raskin and of course Danilo for this one, all of whom who would have started if fit.

As it is, it’ll be the old guard of Jack and Lundstram who will start for Rangers, with Cifuentes likely to be in there too, and while Ibrox Noise has been positive about Lunny who’s had a little burst of form lately, we’re not sure he will be strong enough to face Betis’ powerful midfield.

Ibrox Noise’s Derek suggested Betis have similar issues to Rangers, but the big difference is Isco and one or two other game-changers.

Rangers don’t have a single player in the team capable of magic, unless we count the madness of Sima.

It was already tough, but it got even harder with Raskin’s injury and Beale’s call to omit Dowell from the squad.

The quality just isn’t there for tomorrow – Derek thinks there’s a chance if Beale can stop trying to spread the play so pointlessly – we don’t disagree, but that’s not the only downside to the manager’s tactics.

Lord knows what we will get with a lineup of Lunny, Jack, Tav, Goldson, Davies and Barisic. Lammers and Dessers will likely be in there for the banter too.

Give us strength.