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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

5 Rangers Europa League wildcard options as Amad Diallo lays down the gauntlet with stunning Dundee United show

Gio van Bronckhorst has found the magic formula for European football since returning to Rangers late last year.

The Dutch maestro has masterminded a Europa League run that seemed unthinkable after a dreary start to the group stage under Steven Gerrard.

In just over a week, his team will run out in Seville as finalists and potentially just 90 minutes away from a major European trophy.

And having already beaten Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig to make it this far, you'd have to fancy their chances against fellow Germans, Eintracht Frankfurt.

Make no mistake, though, there is plenty work to be done yet and Van Bronckhorst faces some of the toughest decisions he has ever had to make in management.

Much of his team picks itself; the likes of Allan McGregor, Connor Goldson, John Lundstram and James Tavernier will know they have places on the teamsheet so long as injury doesn't strike in the next nine days.

With two games to come between now and then, though, there are other players fighting to make the game of their lives.

We saw that against Dundee United at the weekend where Amad Diallo impressed after returning to the team while Aaron Ramsey showed some of the class that had Rangers fans screaming his name from the rooftops when he arrived on loan from Juventus.

Does Van Bronckhorst stick with what's worked for him in Europe thus far, or does he shake it up and give some stars the chance they have been waiting for?

Here Record Sport have taken a look at some of the wildcard picks that may be on the table.

Aaron Ramsey

Starting with the obvious, Ramsey hasn't had anything close to the impact that was expected of him after his dramatic deadline day arrival.

He was tipped to be the difference-maker that would tip the title scales in Rangers' favour, but instead he's been mostly a passenger as title 56 slipped out of their grasp while the European adventure continues apace largely in his absence.

He had some say in things against Braga, coming through 80 minutes of the decisive second leg and helping his team turn it around.

Aaron Ramsey and Charlie Mulgrew (Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

But injury struck soon after and he had no involvement against Leipzig.

Back in the team at the weekend against Dundee United, though, he picked out a few stunning passes and looked as sharp as he ever has in a Rangers shirt.

There's no doubting his quality so if he can keep himself fit and use the next two games to get back to match fitness, Van Bronckhorst will be tempted to throw him into the engine room in Seville.

James Sands

The American would be the first to admit it's been a steep learning curve for him since arriving at Ibrox.

He's been a squad player, spending the vast majority of his time watching from the bench, although he has rarely looked out of his depth when called upon.

Still just 21 and with a full season left on his loan deal, there is time on his side and he will be hoping there are big chances to come after being used mostly as a rotation option in defence and midfield.

The chances don't come much bigger than Seville on 18 May and Sands' presence and physicality might offer something different.

It would be a surprise to see him start - the Scottish Cup final just three days later looks more likely - but Van Bronckhorst likes to tinker.

And if he goes with a back three again then Sands might just sneak into contention.

Leon King

He made his first start at the weekend and didn't he half make an impression.

Leon King has long been touted as one of the top prospects at Ibrox but he's had to wait patiently for his chance to show why.

An imposing centre-back with a command and composure far beyond his 18 years, he looks set to step up into a more senior role next season - especially if Connor Goldson leaves when his contract expires.

Rangers' Leon King and Dundee United's Matthew Cudjoe (Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

His position is one where inexperience can be extremely costly and that may explain why he hasn't seen more action so far.

He isn't far away though and with Rangers' defensive options already stretched due to injury, it wouldn't take a lot for him to come into contention.

Amad Diallo

The Manchester United kid looks to have a big future ahead of him whatever happens but it doesn't seem his head has quite been in the game since his January loan move.

Van Bronckhorst has admitted he has struggled to keep up with the often brutal pace and physicality of the Scottish game and that led to a long spell out in the cold.

Even injuries to Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe didn't immediately yield a chance with Scott Wright stepping forward instead.

It seems the chance to be involved against Frankfurt has him excited though as the No.9 looked re-energised against Dundee United.

Coming off the bench at half-time, he scored his second goal in Light Blue and looked a real menace whenever he got on the ball.

If Roofe is back in time for next Wednesday then he'll lead the line and there is tough competition for the two spots alongside him.

Ryan Kent seems a cert to take one but the other is in the air with neither Wright or Fashion Sakala looking undroppable.

If Diallo can grab the brass rings over the next week or so then there is no reason he can't make a late run into the side and make a success of his Ibrox stay yet.

Alex Lowry

Fans have been crying out to see more of the exciting Lowry since his emergence last year but so far, Van Bronckhorst has resisted fully pulling the trigger.

It certainly seems he has stayed hungry despite his lack of involvement though and the 18-year-old will be champing at the bit to add to his five top-team appearances so far after signing a new deal until 2025.

In his cameo at the weekend he showed a fearsome ability to turn defence into attack and his relentless optimism on the ball means the ball almost never goes sideways once it finds his feet.

He's unpredictable and a completely different option to anything else Rangers have in midfield.

A start in Seville seems almost outwith the realms of possibility given the competition for places in midfield and the front three.

But if things aren't going well come 18 May then Lowry is an enticing option to have waiting in the wings.

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