Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his Rangers are looking forward to the clash with PSV in the play-offs of the Champions League with great confidence. On Tuesday evening, both teams will meet at the atmospheric Ibrox and the Dutch coach already has the plan in his head. Last weekend, in the 4-0 league win against St. Johnstone, he gave a number of players rest and they will return to the base on Tuesday evening.
In any case, it concerns James Sands and Ryan Kent. The latter was not fully fit last weekend and was replaced on the left by the speedy Rabbi Matondo, but Kent is now expected to be fit enough to return to his regular spot on the wing. Sands will play alongside Connor Goldson at the heart of the defense. Ben Davies still played there against St. Johnstone, but he will probably be kept on the bench by Van Bronckhorst on Tuesday evening.
At left back, the Dutch coach probably opts for experience. He can choose between the talented Ridvan Yilmaz, who was taken over from Besiktas this summer, and the seasoned Borna Barisic. The Croat is not in great shape, but it can still be expected that he will be at the kick-off. The striker position is taken by Antonio Çolak, who made a good impression in the first few official games, keeping Alfredo Morelos behind him.
Probable PSV line-up: Van Nistelrooij gives a clear signal
Guus Til has probably lost his place in the base at PSV.
Van Bronckhorst already announced at the press conference on Monday that he expects an exciting battle. “We have to be there in both games against PSV, otherwise it will be difficult. We really have to be at our top, because the differences are small. They also have the same urge as we do, but there is only one ticket for the Champions League. I see all the ingredients for two great matches and at this stage it is also normal to have to deal with a difficult opponent.”
Rangers’ suspected lineup: McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic; Lundstram, Arfield, Tillman; Lawrence, Colak, Kent.