Rangers head into tomorrow night’s UEFA Europa League match away to Hungarian giants Ferencvárosi in an unimpressive but potentially opportunistic position.
The Gers – who have been so impressive in Europe since the arrival of Steven Gerrard in the summer of 2018 – are on the verge of an early exit this season.
Danny Röhl’s side sit 33rd out of 36 sides with only a single point – a 1-1 home draw last time out with Portuguese side Braga – and are five points off the top 24 with just three games remaining.
This could provide Röhl with the opportunity to rotate his squad ahead of a busy domestic December schedule as he looks to navigate his side back into the title race alongside Celtic and league leaders Hearts – as Europe, for this year, takes a back seat.
Here are four players who Röhl could turn to in the upcoming fixtures.
Findlay Curtis
The 19-year-old academy prospect has been one of the most promising performers from the youth ranks in recent years.
Since being promoted to first-team training under Phillipe Clement last season, Curtis has shown maturity in possession, a clinical finishing ability and the willingness to drive at defenders that, Djeidi Gassama aside, we have been lacking since the departure of Ryan Kent over two years ago.
With Rangers struggling to control matches in Europe and wingers such as Oliver Antman and Mikey Moore either injured or just back from injury, Curtis could be handed a start in Budapest.
Lyall Cameron
The former Dundee playmaker arrived in the summer and has performed steadily whenever used, though minutes have been sporadic and increasingly rare under Röhl.
Cameron’s ability to play as a roaming No.10 or as a deeper connector suits Röhl’s style in theory, and he remains one of the few midfielders comfortable receiving under pressure – something Rangers have lacked in their limp European campaign.
With creativity at a premium and the domestic schedule intensifying, Cameron is a strong candidate for a return against Ferencvárosi if Röhl is looking to change it up.
However, his lack of minutes, even from the bench suggest that the German Head Coach may not be as trusting of the midfielder as the support.
Yousef Chermiti
Signed from Everton for an absurd £8 million, Yousef Chermiti has endured a difficult start to life at Ibrox.
With just one goal in 16 appearances, the Portuguese striker has struggled for confidence, rhythm, and consistency - particularly in domestic matches where his link play and decision-making have often broken down promising attacks.
Yet despite his poor form, Chermiti has started every Europa League match this season.
That trend may well continue in Budapest, despite Bojan Miovski being fresh from a confidence-boosting double at Kilmarnock in a 3–0 win.
Röhl appears intent on keeping Miovski largely for the league campaign, where his movement and penalty-box instincts could be crucial to returning Rangers to the title picture.
That leaves Europe as Chermiti’s proving ground - a lower-pressure environment where Röhl hopes the 21-year-old can finally settle, contribute, and begin justifying the significant investment made in him.
This fixture may be another opportunity for Chermiti to find form away from the intensity of domestic scrutiny.
Dujon Sterling
Dujon Sterling is only just returning after a lengthy injury absence, having not played since he was forced off in April during Rangers Europa League quarter-final second leg defeat to Athletic Bilbao.
The setback removed one of the squad’s most versatile and dynamic performers for over seven months, and his rehabilitation has been managed cautiously by the new coaching staff.
Sterling has only recently rejoined full training, but was added to the European squad after the injury to Derek Cornelius, and while Röhl values his athleticism, defensive reliability, and ability to operate in multiple roles, the manager is unlikely to throw him straight into an intense domestic run without a careful buildup.
That makes the Europa League trip to Hungary a potential low-risk reintegration opportunity - either from the bench or in a controlled minutes scenario.
With Rangers entering a hectic December and several key fixtures on the horizon, Sterling’s return could become a major asset.
But Röhl will prioritise conditioning and long-term availability over short-term demands, making this match potentially his first step back rather than a full competitive return.
Others such as Clinton Nsiala, Rabbi Matondo and Nedim Bajrami – all returning into the fold at their own paces – will not be able to play in Europe, having been omitted from the squad by the now-sacked Russell Martin back in early September along with Kieran Dowell, who looks set to depart Ibrox this January, having not featured since August.