MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 21:56:29| >> :120:5897:5897:
[monks data]
Attendance: 22,296
Europa League | Group Stage
Nov 8, 2018 at 5.55pm UK
 
Rangers logo

4-3

Melgarejo (22'), Goldson (35' og.), Adriano (58'), Hanni (59')
FT(HT: 2-3)
Eremenko (5' og.), Candeias (27'), Middleton (41')

The main talking points as Rangers get ready for Spartak showdown

Gers have injury problems up top but could put themselves in a strong position in Europa League Group G with a win.

Rangers play Spartak Moscow in Russia on Thursday in their latest Europa League Group G encounter.

Spartak held the Gers to a goalless draw at Ibrox last month but the latest encounter is expected to be a different affair.

Here are the talking points ahead of the Otkritie Arena clash.

Goal threat hampered

Ryan Kent, left, is out for Rangers
Ryan Kent, left, is out for Rangers (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Rangers have lost attacking midfielder Ryan Kent to a hamstring injury on top of the absence of Kyle Lafferty, who has a thigh problem. Teenager striker Dapo Mebude was drafted into the travelling party and Steven Gerrard will hope there are no further blows to his forward players during the game.

Win or bust for Spartak

Rangers sit top of the group on five points after three matches, three ahead of bottom side Spartak. Home boss Raul Riancho admits they will have to be far more attacking than they were when they contained the Light Blues at Ibrox, which could help open things up on the break for Gerrard's men.

Fan power

Raul Riancho will be hoping Spartak spark into life on Thursday
Raul Riancho will be hoping Spartak spark into life on Thursday (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Caretaker boss Riancho accused some fans of wanting to destroy their own club after they showed their anger at the way it is being run – and results on the park – following a fourth consecutive home defeat in the league on Sunday. A good start for Rangers could get the crowd on the home side's backs again, while the 45,000-capacity stadium is tipped to be less than half full.

Qualified success

A double win for Rangers and Villarreal would put the Light Blues five points clear of Rapid Vienna, who host the Spanish team, and put Gerrard's men in touching distance of the knockout stages.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Gavin McCafferty, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '06342271-56a7-4963-9239-8d3d83f852e0');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'The main talking points as Rangers get ready for Spartak showdown'});

ID:340878: cacheID:340878:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8114:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rangers' James Tavernier on May 5, 2018
Read Next:
Ally McCoist believes Rangers still have a lot to do to catch Celtic
>
Read more about Steven Gerrard Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio33009
2Spurs33009
3Anderlecht33009
4Ajax32107
5Frankfurt32107
6Midtjylland32107
7Galatasaray32107
8Bodo/Glimt32107
9Lyon32016
10Rangers32016
11Olympiacos32016
12FCSB32016
13Fenerbahce31205
14Porto31114
15Slavia Prague31114
16Real Sociedad31114
17Roma31114
18Hoffenheim31114
19AZ31023
20Man Utd30303
21Plzen30303
22Ferencvaros31023
23Elfsborg31023
24Malmo31023
25Braga31023
26Besiktas31023
27FC Twente30212
28Union SG30121
29PAOK30121
30Ludogorets30121
31Nice30121
32RFS30121
33Athletic Club00000
34M. Tel Aviv30030
35Dynamo Kiev30030
36Qarabag30030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!