Rangers head into a crucial Conference League play-off first leg against Czech side FK Jablonec on Thursday, looking to carry forward the confidence gained from a resounding 5-1 victory over St Mirren at the weekend. The tie, which kicks off at 7.45pm, represents a significant opportunity for the Ibrox club to progress toward the league phase of European competition.
The timing of the fixture comes at an important juncture for manager Derek McInnes, whose side had endured a difficult opening to the season with four matches without a win before finally breaking through against St Mirren. New signing James Penrice made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut in that match, helping to lift spirits within the squad heading into the continental clash.
McInnes acknowledged the shift in mood around the club following the derby win, noting the difference it made to the training ground atmosphere. "Even coming in on Monday morning after the win against St Mirren, everybody was a bit brighter and had a bit more of a spring in their step," the manager said. "I want a winning dressing room, I want a winning club and getting a win was important for us."
Rangers have strengthened their squad further on the eve of the Jablonec tie, completing the signing of Kosta Nedeljkovic as their 11th addition of the summer transfer window. The defender arrived on Wednesday and could be involved in the squad for Thursday's match, having already built up match fitness during pre-season with Aston Villa. McInnes confirmed the club had been monitoring the player's training load and playing time closely before sanctioning his involvement, stating that Nedeljkovic "has been training and playing with Villa throughout pre-season" and that "we have looked at his minutes and training schedule, and he has been active."
UEFA regulations permitted Rangers to make two amendments to their squad list ahead of Wednesday's deadline, with Penrice confirmed as one of those changes following his debut goal against St Mirren. Nedeljkovic's arrival represents the second alteration, giving McInnes additional options as he prepares his squad for the two-legged tie.
The Rangers boss will be without several key players for the opening leg. Tuur Rommens faces an extended absence of several weeks, while Youssef Chermiti and Jose Cifuentes are also sidelined. Ben Godfrey, meanwhile, is nearing a return to fitness but is unlikely to be involved in the first leg, with the club instead targeting the second leg as a more realistic timeline for his comeback.
There was a scare regarding Daisuke Yokota, who was substituted at half-time during the St Mirren victory due to fatigue, but the forward is expected to have recovered sufficiently to feature against the Czech visitors. John Souttar remains a doubt for the tie and there is speculation surrounding his future at the club, with a departure potentially imminent.
Based on the expected lineup, McInnes could field a side featuring Pandur in goal, with a back line including Sterling, Makhanya, Fernandez and Penrice. Dragojevic, Raskin and Chukwuani are anticipated to occupy midfield roles, while Yokota, Shankland and Aasgaard could lead the attacking line.
Fans in the UK and Ireland can follow the action exclusively through RangersTV, with the broadcast also available internationally excluding Czechia and Slovakia. Individual match passes are priced at £10.99, while a bundle covering both legs of the tie is available for £16.99. The club has stipulated that passes must be purchased at least 90 minutes prior to kick-off, with sales closing at that point to ensure a stable viewing experience for supporters.
Based on reporting from The Independent.