Ibrox View: Tavernier decision to be made in three changes – Rangers predicted XI v Olympiacos

Philippe Clement is expected to make three changes when Rangers face Olympiacos in their Europa League clash on Thursday.

The Gers head to Greece in their fourth Europa League match on 7 November after a 2-1 comeback win over Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals, and that gives Clement a perfect blueprint.

Danilo, Mohamed Diomande, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Dujon Sterling all came off the bench to finish the match at Hampden Park, with the latter trio all likely to keep their places in the starting XI on 7 November.

Leon Balogun, captain James Tavernier and the injured Tom Lawrence are expected to drop out of the side, while Cyriel Dessers will keep his place in the XI thanks to an early-season error made by Clement.

Rangers must continue momentum against Olympiacos

Heading to Piraeus off the back of a strong second-half display against Motherwell five days prior, Clement would be wise to ensure that the side he selects can carry on that good form.

Tavernier’s withdrawal midway through the second half at Hampden saw Jack Butland see the game out wearing the captain’s armband, and the 31-year-old should continue in the role with the former benched.

Sterling starting in Tavernier’s place at right-back allows him to finally nail down a place in his preferred position, while Jefte will be keen to make up for his costly defensive lapse on the opposite flank.

Kasanwirjo replacing another veteran in Balogun against Motherwell could prove to be the starting point of a fruitful partnership between himself and John Souttar, and Clement must allow this to flourish.

Nico Raskin and Connor Barron were hugely impressive in the Gers’ last European outing, a 4-0 win over FCSB, while Lawrence’s early injury against Motherwell will see Diomande slot into the starting XI.

Nedim Bajrami netted the winning goal at Hampden on Sunday and is surely ready to slot into his natural number 10 role, but a lack of left-wing options means he should continue out wide with Vaclav Cerny.

Despite netting an early second-half equaliser last time out, Dessers remained passive in attack until being replaced by Danilo, with all the signs pointing towards the Brazilian becoming Gers’ go-to striker.

However, Danilo’s early-season injury issues meant he was left out of the Light Blues’ European squad, and so disappointingly for some fans, Dessers remains the clear option to start this match up front.

In other Rangers news, the Bears have been an extra incentive to win the League Cup Final with a new Celtic record pending.

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The post Ibrox View: Tavernier decision to be made in three changes – Rangers predicted XI v Olympiacos appeared first on Ibrox News.