Rangers vs Feyenoord
Europa League Group G
8:00pm Thursday September
Ibrox Stadium
Steven Gerrard has predicted to provide a Europa League victory against Feyenoord as a tribute to former mild defender Fernando Ricksen.
The worldwide, who produced more than 250 appearances for the Ibrox team between 2000 and 2006, were fighting motor neurone disease for six decades and expired on Wednesday.
Gerrard is preparing his new players to confront the Eredivisie side and needs them to triumph for Ricksen.
He said:»It’s very sad news for everyone on the club and, more importantly, his family. On behalf of the club I would love to pay tribute. He was a fantastic player who had a career.
«I am sure there will be a lot of feelings from the stadium and I think Fernando deserves this. I am sure both sets of fans will pay their respects.
«We request the supporters to get right behind the team because I think that it would be a great tribute to him when we could put in a good performance and try to get max points.
«I think everyone understands before a ball is kicked, if that was the case, we’d surely give it to him along with his family.
«It’s quite sad. I’m sure the fans are extremely sad now and also we who are accountable for Thursday’s operation need to do what we can to attempt to get a win and dedicate it to him»
The hosts will be without Ryan Kent, who tweaked a hamstring during the victory over Livingston.
Gerrard has suggested that he would be prepared to throw Jamie Murphy back into the fold after missing a year having a knee injury accident.
Jordan Jones suffered an injury through the Old Firm game and stays absent.
Feyenoord will be without Sven van Beek, although Steven Berghuis, Nicolai Jorgensen, Jens Toornstra and Jan-Arie van der Heijden are doubtful.
The only meetings involving Rangers and Feyenoord were at the 2001-02 UEFA Cup – that the side won 4-3 on aggregate to winning the prize.
Rangers have played eight matches in European competition this season, winning six of the Europa League qualifying matches (D2) while keeping six blank sheets.
However they gained their last such game in the 2017-18 Champions League against Napoli feyenoord have dropped seven of their last eight games in European competition.
Alfredo Morelos scored eight goals in Rangers’ eight Europa League qualifying matches this season. The Colombian was the only Rangers player to score over once from the Europa League last season (2).
Rangers striker Jermain Defoe has scored two goals together with each one them coming for Spurs between 2013 and 2012.
This is going to be a game. Feyenoord have a standing. Feyenoord have the passion but aren’t bringing the service they’d always bring.
These nights rangers enjoy and that is Steven Gerrard is not there. They haven’t clicked into gear just yet though. The side of jaap Stam will sit in for 20-25 minutes and this might cause frustration about Ibrox – that is if they could pounce.
Alfredo Morelos is your threat along with Feyenoord will be winding him up to see whether they could get him. He seems a lot calmer than what he has been previously! It is not a simple night. It’ll be really physical and stressed. I don’t know if Rangers really have the knowledge to get through these games yet.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
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