What Danny Rohl’s First Rangers Starting XI Might Look Like vs Brann in Europa League

Rangers are in action this evening as new boss Danny Rohl gets set to take his first match in charge of the club.

The German head coach was named the new gaffer at Ibrox following the sacking of Russell Martin.

Martin had been the subject of numerous protests from the fans over results as well as his side’s performances and the board finally wielded the axe.

Rohl was named among the possible replacements alongside former boss Steven Gerrard who had gained experience with the likes of Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq since departing Glasgow in the first place back in 2021.

But the Liverpool and England icon ruled himself out of the running after holding discussions with sporting director Kevin Thelwell and chief executive Patrick Stewart.

Rohl had also withdrawn from the Rangers race after lengthy discussions with the pair but his tune changed when a deal for Kevin Muscat fell through.

Danny Rohl predicted Rangers XI vs Brann in Europa League

Now the 36-year-old finally has the reins of the Scottish Premiership giants who simply must improve from their one domestic win this season that has left them sixth in the division and a mile away from rivals Celtic and league leaders Hearts.

It is in the Europa League tonight, though, where Rohl picks his first starting XI as a Rangers manager as he takes his team to Norway to take on Brann.

The Light Blues have started their Euro campaign slowly and are without a point from their opening two matches.

So Rohl will certainly have to pick the right team and make the correct sub calls inside the 90 or so minutes in order to bring positivity to Ibrox as well as points.

But who will he pick?

Jack Butland

The England goalkeeper was questioned at times last season having shipped some silly and avoidable goals.

But this season he has been one of the only real performers in blue and has kept scores down at times and won his team points when they could – perhaps should – have lost matches instead.

James Tavernier

Rangers’ captain is one of the real top players at the club still and even if his defensive actions are sometimes criticised, his statistics continue to back up his talents.

His experience will be necessary for the outing in Norway and he is always worth a goal or an assist in big European matches.

John Souttar

Has found some consistency in recent seasons at the heart of the defence for Rangers and needs to find more this term.

The Scotland international is an asset at the club but has to rediscover himself under the new manager.

Rohl has hinted at a strong Scottish contingent making up the spine of his team and Soapy fits the bill.

Derek Cornelius

Joined on loan from Marseille in the summer and has been playing alongside Souttar as Gers have struggled to keep the door shut at the back with alternative players.

It could be Nasser Djiga or Emmanuel Fernandez alongside Souttar but we reckon Rohl will stick with the Dane.

Jayden Meghoma

The manager is no stranger to giving shots to the younger players in his career and the on-loan Brentford kid, 19, has started well enough in Glasgow.

The alternative is sticking a right-back out of position and on the wrong side – perhaps Max Aarons – but we suspect Meghoma will continue.

Nico Raskin

Raskin fell out with former boss Martin before he was brought back into the fold. But he should absolutely be at the forefront of the new boss’s plans in the midfield.

He is a Belgium international and has scored big goals and had some massive moments for Rangers.

Could be a long term legitimate candidate for the captaincy if he is not snapped up in the coming months.

Aston Villa like the midfielder and could move in January.

Mo Diomande

Alongside Raskin, the Ivorian has at times been a stellar performer.

He is another who could make up the backbone of the Ibrox midfield under Rohl and if the boss can get him playing at his best, we suspect he will be an asset once again for the club.

Djeidi Gassama

Worked well with Rohl during his previous stint at Sheffield Wednesday and the German did not want to lose the creative playmaking winger when he did.

Financial issues at the Owls forced Gassama to move on and he joined Rangers but has been reunited with Rohl.

Gassama has shown his talents as a Ranger even under Martin at times and he already has five Euro goals from eight matches this season so far.

Thelo Aasgaard

Scored his first goal for the club against Dundee United and could have had another during the 2-2 draw.

The Norwegian is highly thought-of by the hierarchy at Rangers and might be one for Rohl to build his team around if he can get him going.

It might take time for the ex-Bee but he has a big chance of succeeding under Rohl.

Oliver Antman

The Finland international cost a decent chunk of money to sign for Gers from Go Ahead Eagles and that’s why it is difficult to justify leaving him out.

He has looked dangerous going forward at times and he has three assists in 14.

However, as previously mentioned, Rohl will give youngsters a chance in his squad if they are good enough.

And that’s why Findlay Curtis is an alternative to Antman.

He has looked very promising during his time in the team this season already and has three goals to his name from 10 outings, even if most have come from the bench.

He may be given a run out and a chance to impress early on if Antman is left out.

The £8million signing from Everton this summer has to start in Brann.

Bojan Miovski has looked okay in his first few matches and he has scored goals. But Rohl will have been instructed by the higher-ups to try and see if Chermiti can justify his price tag.

Gers won’t have paid the amount they did to see the attacker languishing on the bench.