Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Steven Mair

4 Rangers questions for Braga Europa League mission as Steven Davis stakes big claim amid selection teasers

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has work to do as he aims to overhaul a 1-0 deficit going into the second leg of Rangers' Europa League battle with Braga.

The Portuguese side travel to Ibrox with a narrow advantage but they'll know it was only two years ago they threw away a 2-0 lead as the electric atmosphere took over and Ianis Hagi announced himself to the Govan crowd.

Back to the present day as the Light Blues are under different management with Van Bronckhorst taking them beyond Steven Gerrard's best finish in Europe.

Sunday's 4-0 destruction of St Mirren saw Kemar Roofe bag a hat-trick while other key players were rested with Thursday night and a potential place in the semi-finals in mind.

Here are four big questions heading into the second leg.

Does Davis start?

The plaudits pour in for Steven Davis who some believe hasn't been utilised enough this season.

His performance was typically classy as the 37-year-old showed he's still got plenty to offer.

Davis kept things simple to bring so much composure to the blue engine room after coming on for the injured John Lundstram.

Van Bronckhorst revealed he could be touch-and-go for Thursday night as he said: "Lundstram felt a little bit in his groin so we have to assess it in the next few days and see how he is.

"Hopefully he can make it for Thursday."

If he isn't then on the evidence seen at SMiSA Stadium Davis looks like the obvious replacement.

Yes, Jack and Lundstram's partnership has helped power Rangers through this European run.

But the chips are down in this second leg and Davis' experience could be crucial.

Who's leading the line?

It would be difficult to leave out Roofe after he rattled in a hat-trick against the Buddies.

He then insisted he's got nothing to prove after he was benched in the first leg in Portugal.

Fashion Sakala led the line instead to little effect and you feel his only shot at being involved will be on the right.

But Joe Aribo sent a reminder he can contribute after his worldie rounded off the rout.

He'll be desperate to retain his place in the starting line-up too so it's hard to picture Sakala starting the match.

Amad Diallo also got a run-out but didn't do much to stake a claim.

What's Ramsey's role?

Unused in the away leg, Juventus loanee Aaron Ramsey missed out on another of the big European nights he joined up at Ibrox to witness.

He could yet have a part to play after taking to Twitter: "Back to winning ways.. massive night to look forward to Thursday."

The Welshman is another option in midfield and if either him or Davis are drafted in to join Jack in midfield if Lundstram cannot make it it's a good selection problem to have

The experience both players offer makes it a good problem to have but the lack of match practice is a worry.

With former Arsenal star Ramsey's recent run of games he could be in a better position to step in.

Should Gio go for it?

The team in Braga were undoubtedly set up to hit on the break with high balls aimed at utilising Kent and Sakala's pace.

There wasn't much in the way of an attacking midfield presence but on home soil it could be time to take the shackles off.

Van Bronckhorst needs some Thursday night thunder like the performance that brought about the 3-0 thumping of Red Star.

That won't be repeated if Van Bronckhorst sets up in the same way he did away from home.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.