Rangers travel to Athens for the second leg of our UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie against Panathinaikos this Wednesday.
After a battling win at Ibrox we have one foot in the next round but Russell Martin and his side will know the job is not done yet.
The new boss rested his entire XI from the first leg for the weekend’s friendly against Middlesbrough and we don’t expect many changes from that first leg side.
Here’s how we expect Rangers to line up on Wednesday night.
Rangers Predicted Lineup vs Panathinaikos: UEFA Champions League Qualifier
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Goalkeeper:
Jack Butland
The former Stoke and Manchester United keeper looked back to his best in the first leg after a horror season last year.
Several outstanding first half saves kept us level before the goals and red card.
If he keeps this up he will be our undisputed super number one again in no time.
Defenders:
James Tavernier, John Souttar, Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons
Do not anticipate any changes in the defence for this match.
Butland was the main reason for our clean sheet in the first leg but with Martin still after a new left back we expect Aarons to continue on that side with Tavernier at right back for now.
Midfielders:
Nico Raskin, Joe Rothwell, Mohammed Diomande
No changes to the midfield either, this is our strongest three and when fit all should start the bigger games together.
Forwards:
Djeidi Gassama, Findlay Curtis, Danilo
Expect the two goalscorers from the first leg to come in and start. Danilo should continue to lead the line based off Dessers and Igamane’s fitness and the Brazilians stellar pre-season which continued against Middlesbrough at the weekend.
Predicted Starting XI:
(4-3-3)
Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Djiga, Aarons; Raskin, Rothwell, Diomande; Gassama, Danilo, Curtis.
Bench Options:
Liam Kelly, Kieran Wright, Emmanuel Fernandez, Jefte, Nedim Bajrami, Connor Barron, Lyall Cameron, Bailey Rice, Thelo Aasgaard, Cyriel Dessers, Hamza Igamane, Oscar Cortes
Other options include Kieran Dowell, Robbie Fraser, Josh Gentles and Leon King but we don’t think any will make the cut, Dowell may replace Aasgaard on the bench dependant on the Norwegian’s fitness.
Clinton Nsiala, Jose Cifuentes and Ross McCausland are all unregistered after being told they can depart.
The injured Rabbi Matondo and Ridvan Yilmaz also told they can depart, as well as long term absentee Dujon Sterling are also unavailable.
Final Word
Rangers hold the advantage, but this tie is far from over. Athens will be hostile, and Panathinaikos dangerous.
But if Martin’s men can show the same discipline and clinical edge as they did at Ibrox, then a place in the next round, and another step toward the group stage, is well within reach.