Source: TheGuardian
Rangers v Villarreal: Europa League – live!
Europa League updates from the 8pm GMT kick-offFollow live MBM updates on Chelsea v PAOK with Paul Doyle Any thoughts? You can email John | tweet @johnbrewin_ 7.51pm GMT Celtic got the job done and won in Norway; Rangers, it’s over to you. 7.48pm GMT And Arsenal’s kids have enjoyed their redirected match in Kiev. They’ve stepped off the gas a bit after breezing through the first half, but they have got the job done. Related: Vorskla Poltava v Arsenal: Europa League – live! 7.45pm GMT Good news from Trondheim, to use the stylings of Clive Tyldesley when he used to mention scorelines from other British clubs, that Celtic are winning 1-0 at Rosenborg and the Red Bull derby is going Salzburg’s way against Leipzig. That could put Brendan’s Bhoys in a very solid second spot. 7.32pm GMT Update from Adam, a Rangers fan: “Might want to check the results in group G, you’re posting about the Spartak/Vienna game as if it’s not already happened on. “A draw would keeps hopes faintly alive, and Rapid Vienna away is the final fixture. Defeat, combined with a win for Spartak Moscow at home to Rapid, would eliminate Rangers.” They lost 2-1 to Rapid in an early kick off, so Rangers can advance from the group mathematically with a loss here and a win in Vienna, as long as Villarreal win or draw against Spartak at home.”Thanks, Adam. 7.29pm GMT Those wanting to roll back the years with Santi Cazorla will be made to wait; he is on the bench tonight. Your “oh him” recognition can be taken up by Carlos Bacca instead. Talking of the blessed Santi, here’s a superb interview as carried out by Sid “Jogi” Lowe. Related: Santi Cazorla: ‘Every time they sewed me up, it split again, more liquid’ 7.20pm GMT Steven has made four changes for the clash with Villarreal at Ibrox. Joe Worrall, Jon “Flanno” Flanagan, Lassana Coulibaly and Alfredo “Suarez” Morelos all came in with Gareth McAuley, Andy Halliday, Ovie Ejaria and Kyle Lafferty making way. 7.05pm GMT If you want some Stevie G content, then nowhere better to start than his interview with Donald McRae, who helped him with his actually rather decent autobiography. Related: Steven Gerrard: ‘If I text, call or see him, Jürgen’s always got time for me’ Related: Make Us Dream review – the agony behind the ecstasy for Steven Gerrard 7.00pm GMT And in analogue fashion. Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Worrall, Goldson, Flanagan, Coulibaly, Jack, Arfield, Candeias, Morelos, Middleton. Subs: Foderingham, Ejaria, Halliday, Ross McCrorie, Grezda, McAuley, Lafferty. Villarreal: Fernandez, Mario, Alvaro, Funes Mori, Jaume, Caseres, Morlanes, Trigueros, Fornals, Toko Ekambi, Bacca. Subs: Sergio Asenjo, Gerard, Sansone, Pedraza, Cazorla, Bonera, Chukwueze. Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia) 6.49pm GMT Social media versions first. Your #RangersFC team for tonight's @EuropaLeague match. pic.twitter.com/d6BI84F4bD#UEL | Here's our starting XI to face @RangersFC at Ibrox in Glasgow (9pm CET). Endavant! pic.twitter.com/3waqK7vYRX 6.48pm GMT This needs to be one of those famous European nights at Ibrox - something in short supply for the last decade or so - if Steven Gerrard’s Rangers are to be entered into the draw for the Europa League knock-out rounds. A draw would keeps hopes faintly alive, and Rapid Vienna away is the final fixture. Defeat, combined with a win for Spartak Moscow at home to Rapid, would eliminate Rangers. “It’s crucial we don’t lose,” said Steven this week, which seems a bit defeatist, though he also promised to “bring our A game and max out”. Perhaps Alfredo Morelos is the man for this occasion; Gerrard has compared his striker to Luis Suárez. Yes, that Luis Suárez. Had Rangers not lost 4-3 at Spartak having been in the lead three times, then this might have been the chance to book progress. As it is, Villarreal are one of those teams who used to be referred to as a “crack Spanish outfit” in days gone by though are 16th in La Liga, and Sunday’s defeat of Real Betis was their first win a calendar month. Should he start, it will be a delight to see Santi Cazorla back on British soil. Continue reading......read full article
