Rangers v VfB Stuttgart - Match Preview

Published: 24 Nov 2009 - 15:08:45

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Rangers are gearing up to host Stuttgart in a must win Champions League game at Ibrox.

If the Scottish side harbour any ambitions of being in the knockout stages they must beat their German rivals, as they are three points behind second placed Unirea Urziceni.

They will have to do it, though, without Madjid Bougherra who will drop to the bench as punishment for his continued absence from Glasgow.

The former Charlton Athletic centre-back did not, like many Algerian players, arrive back for his club side until Saturday in the wake of his country's qualification for the World Cup.

17-year-old Danny Wilson deputised for Bougherra, 10 years Wilson's senior, at the weekend against Kilmarnock and is expected to do so tonight.

Strikers Kris Boyd and Steven Naismith both face late fitness tests, with Boyd favourite to get the nod up front, and DaMarcus Beasley is also doubtful.

Jerome Rothen has a virus so will miss out while Pedro Mendes (thigh), Maurice Edu (knee) and Kirk Broadfoot (foot) are still absent.

Markus Babbel's side are without Martin Lanig (cruciate ligament) and Sami Khedira (foot) while Ricardo Osorio and Ludovic Magnin (both thigh) are doubtful.

Both sides need a win to keep up their slim hopes of making the next round, although if Unirea can upset already-qualified Sevilla they will be hot favourites to qualify.

-By David Brenchley