Malmo vs Rangers: Clement names starting team for Europa League clash

Rangers kick off their Europa League campaign against Swedish champions Malmo.

Malmo vs Rangers: Clement names starting team for Europa League clashSNS Group

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has named his starting lineup for their Europa League opener against Malmo.

The Ibrox side have travelled to Sweden for Thursday night’s game as they look to get off to a good start at the Eleda Stadion.

With games against Lyon, Steaua Bucharest, Olympiacos, Nice, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to come in the competition, They will be hoping for a positive result to give them something to build on for the other six league phase games.

But Malmo have an impressive recent record against Scottish sides, knocking Rangers, Celtic and Hibs out in recent seasons over the last 12 years.

Clement’s side dropped into the Europa after falling to a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League qualifiers.

Malmo also started out trying to reach the Champions League but were defeated 4-0 by Sparta Prague at the playoff stage.

Rangers are without first-choice left-backs Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz with the Brazilian being suspended for a red card against Kyiv and the Turk still injured.

Neraysho Kasanwirjo has been brought in to deputise for them at the back.

So Clement has started with Jack Butland in goals behind a four-man defence that includes captain Jamies Tavernier, Robin Propper, John Souttar and Kasanwirjo.

Connor Barron is in midfield beside Mohamed Diomande with Tom Lawrence supporting a front three of Vaclav Cerny, Nedim Bajrami and Cyriel Dessers.

Rangers reached the last-16 of the competition last season before falling to a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Benfica in March.

This season, like the Champions League, has a new format with one league table and each team playing eight different teams with four at home and four away.

The game kicks off at 5.45pm.

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