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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Beale names Rangers team for Servette Champions League qulifier

Michael Beale has named his Rangers team for the Champions League third qualifying round first leg against Servette.

Rangers host the Swiss side at Ibrox tonight in their opening fixture of the Champions League qualifying campaign.

And Beale has made three changes to the side that fell to defeat against Kilmarnock on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership season.

Jack Butland starts in goal and the back four remains the same as it was at the weekend.

Ryan Jack and Todd Cantwell come into midfield for Kieran Dowell and John Lundstram.

Sima drops to the bench while Danilo is handed his first start since his £5million switch from Feyenoord.

Should Rangers overcome Servette over the two-legged tie then they will face the winners of PSV Eindhoven and Sturm Graz in the play-off round.

Victory in the play-off would see Rangers qualify for the group stage of the Champions League.

However, after PSV took a 4-1 win in the first match between the other clubs, Rangers have been warned of their quality.

Sturm Graz boss Christian Ilzer said: "All compliments to PSV. Last season we lost 6-0 to Feyenoord, but there is no doubt in my mind PSV were better than them.

"This was the strongest opponent in my four years as a manager at this club. I thought they were brilliant.

"We didn't stand a chance and lost all confidence in our game.

"Now it's time to learn lessons from this evening. We have been given the opportunity to learn from an opponent like PSV.

"There was a huge difference in class between the teams.

"Of course, we have to believe we can turn it around in the second leg, but we have to be realistic here. We came up short in every area of the pitch."


RANGERS XI: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Goldson, Barisic, Jack, Raskin, Cantwell, Lammers, Dessers, Danilo

SUBS: McCrorie, Wright, Lundstram, Hagi, Cifuentes, Sima, Dowell, Sterling, Wright, Balogun, King, Devine

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