Rangers squad revealed as Clement offers clear sign Ross McCausland poised to answer injury crisis
He doesn't have many options to choose from but Clement has a couple of big decisions to make for the final Europa League clash.
It's down to the bare bones again for Rangers tonight as Philippe Clement picks from a depleted squad to face Real Betis - with Europa League qualification on the line.
A win would see the Scottish Premiership side cruise straight through to the last 16, bypassing the playoff round as Group C winners. Anything less in Seville though will see Rangers at serious risk of tumbling into the Europa Conference League depending on how Sparta get on against Aris Limassol. And they won't want to leave that much to chance.
Clement will be without Todd Cantwell due to a personal issue while Danilo and Tom Lawrence are out long-term. Ryan Jack hasn't been deemed fit to travel - and means the Belgian has a small group to pick from as he looks to get a big result in Spain. But as ever, he's focused on the stars who are available to him rather than the ones who aren't.
Asked for an injury update heading into the game, he said: “Todd isn’t here as he has a personal issue and he wants to keep it personal and we respect that. It’s nothing between the club and him, or me and him, it is family wise. We hope he will be available for Sunday but there is no guarantee.
“I don’t put timescales on things as I am someone who healed quickly. I was told I would be out for eight weeks and I was back in four. I don’t think it is good to put a timescale on it. I try to be honest and it will be several months for Danilo. It’s about the guys who are here, they have ambition and they want to prove themselves and as a team.”
Predicted Rangers XI
Rabbi Matondo started over Ross McCausland in the weekend win over Dundee, somewhat surprisingly, but the youngster was thrown on at half-time which might indicate Clement's preference here. Abdallah Sima looks a stick on for the other side given his recent goalscoring antics while Cyriel Dessers is the only striker fit to play 90 minutes.
Jose Cifuentes seems likely to start in midfield despite his red card with no other senior central midfielders fit. And with Clement opting for Leon Balogun and John Souttar at the weekend, Connor Goldson is set to come back in for Balogun who isn't in the Europa League squad. It's whether he'll be joined by Souttar or Ben Davies that is the question.
Provisional Rangers squad
Goalkeepers
- Jack Butland
- Robby McCrorie
- Kieran Wright
Defenders
- James Tavernier
- Ben Davies
- Leon King
- Adam Devine
- Dujon Sterling
- John Souttar
- Borna Barisic
Midfielders
- Jose Cifuentes
- John Lundstram
- Bailey Rice
- Ross McCausland
- Rabbi Matondo
Forwards
- Abdallah Sima
- Cyriel Dessers
- Sam Lammers
- Scott Wright
- Kemar Roofe