Rangers predicted XI for Plzen as Nico Raskin runs the risk of more jeopardy
Russell Martin piled praise on Nico Raskin's response to being dropped after the Rangers boss admitted the Belgian's head had been turned by summer speculation linking him with a move.
That indicates the new Ibrox manager is ready to unleash him in his XI for the return leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic.
But - and it's a fairly big BUT - Martin will be considering whether it really is worth the risk with Rangers 3-0 up from the first leg to put one foot in the play-off round against either Club Brugge or Salzburg.
That's because Raskin has already picked up two bookings in qualifying - one of them a bonkers yellow card while he was warming up against Plzen - and a third would rule him out of the first leg of the play-off, assuming they get there.
Unless the tie is any real danger, is it worth the gamble for Martin? It could be he sticks with Joe Rothwell, who has edged Raskin out of the No. 6 position, and the Belgian can wait for his chance.
It's just one of the many decisions Martin faces. Skipper James Tavernier is surely in contention to return to the starting line-up, with Max Aarons looking shaky as his replacement in the draw against Dundee on Saturday.
Here, Record Sport picks out a likely starting line-up for the big Champions League qualifier.
Predicted XI
Provisional squad
Goalkeepers
Jack Butland
Liam Kelly
Kieran Wright
Defenders
Max Aarons
Nasser Djiga
Emmanuel Fernandez
Leon King
John Souttar
James Tavernier
Jefte
Midfielders
Nedim Bajrami
Connor Barron
Lyall Cameron
Oscar Cortes
Mohamed Diomande
Kieran Dowell
Robbie Fraser
Djiedi Gassama
Nico Raskin
Joe Rothwell
Oliver Antman
Forwards
Cyriel Dessers
Josh Gentles
Danilo
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