A win in France would do very Nicely for Philippe Clement tonight as the under-fire boss looks for another big Euro result to ease the pressure.
The Clement era at Rangers hit another low point at the weekend after a drab draw with Dundee United allowed Celtic to move 11 clear of them in the Premiership standings. Fans won’t stand for conceding the title race at this early stage but the likelihood is their joy is going to have to come from other competitions this season.
It’s just as well they’ve got the Europa League, then, which has been so good to them in the recent and distant past. Reaching the final under Gio van Bronckhorst feels like a lifetime ago now but a flavour of that spirit has been evident at times this season, smashing Steaua Bucharest at Ibrox and battling to a creditable point away at Olympiacos.
The standard of opposition steps up a notch tonight with Nice, going well in Ligue 1, the hosts. They’re generally fancied to do the business against a Rangers team low on confidence. But how can Clement spring a surprise on a team he knows well from his own time managing in France?
Predicted Rangers XI
He can do it by making the change fans have been crying out for it for ages. Nedim Bajrami was tipped as a marquee signing in the summer but has flattered to deceive so far in a wide position. Mohamed Diomande’s form has wavered so the time may be right to try Bajrami through the middle and see what damage he can do.
That would also give him the chance to try Hamza Igamane in a wide role, and having another finisher on the pitch would certainly shift some of the burden on Cyriel Dessers who has been struggling recently.
Rangers’ Europa League squad
Goalkeepers
- Jack Butland
- Liam Kelly
- Lewis Budinauckas
Defenders
- James Tavernier
- Robin Propper
- John Souttar
- Dujon Sterling
- Jefte
- Neraysho Kasanwirjo
- Leon Balogun
Midfielders
- Connor Barron
- Mohamed Diomande
- Nedim Bajrami
- Kieran Dowell
- Nicolas Raskin
- Tom Lawrence
Forwards
- Cyriel Dessers
- Vaclav Cerny
- Hamza Igamane