Lincoln Red Imps vs Rangers Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By George Cannon
Rangers kick-off their Europa League campaign with a trip to Gibraltar in the second qualifying round, where they'll face semi-professional outfit Lincoln Red Imps.
The side from the British overseas territory famously defeated Rangers' biggest rivals Celtic back in 2016 in what was former manager Brendan Rodgers' first competitive match in charge of the Bhoys and they'll be hoping to repeat the feat once again.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all of the Europa League qualifying rounds are single-legged affairs - meaning a shock result, that Steven Gerrard will be desperate to avoid, is far more likely.
Here's 90min's preview of the game.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? Thursday 17 September
What Time Is Kick Off? 16:00 (BST)
Where Is it Played? Victoria Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Premier Sports 1
Team News
Alfredo Morelos has joined a lengthy injury list at Ibrox after being on the receiving end of a horrific challenge at the weekend. The Colombian forward only entered the field as a substitute himself following Brandon Barker's pulled hamstring.
Morelos suffered a deep gash to his knee that is likely to keep him out for two weeks but the bad news doesn't stop there. Ryan Jack, who has been a key man for Rangers since Gerrard's arrival, suffered a pulled calf after just ten minutes of action and centre-half Leon Balogun was injured in the warm-up.
The quartet join Joe Aribo, Jordan Jones, Jermain Defoe and Cedric Itten on the sidelines in what is fast becoming a big cause for concern for the Scottish Premiership leaders.
Predicted Lineups
Lincoln Red Imps: Soler; Wiseman, Chipolina, Lopes, Britto; Torrilla, Yahaya, Hernandez, K.Casciaro, Coombes; L. Casciaro
Rangers: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Barisic; Kamara, Arfield, Stewart; Hagi, Roofe, Kent
Recent Form
Lincoln Red Imps are yet to get their domestic season back underway but have already played two qualifying rounds in order to get this stage. Both matches have ended in relatively comfortable victories for the side from Gibraltar. They recorded impressive clean sheets in 2-0 and 3-0 wins over Prishtina and Union Titus respectively, which will give them confidence going into Thursday's match.
Rangers know all about keeping a clean sheet themselves, however. Their latest shutout against Dundee United set a new early-season record of seven consecutive clean sheets - breaking Celtic's 114-year old mark for clean sheets kept at the start of a league season.
Last summer's £7m signing Ryan Kent has started the season in fabulous form, and with Kemar Roofe and Ianis Hagi improving with every passing week, it is not a good time to be facing the Gers.
Here's how both teams have fared in their last five matches.
Lincoln Red Imps
Lincoln Red Imps 2-0 Union Titus (27/08)
Lincoln Red Imps 3-0 Prishtina (22/08)
Lincoln Red Imps 6-0 Boca Gibraltar (08/03)
Asane 0-2 Lincoln Red Imps (03/03)
Lynx 1-3 Lincoln Red Imps (28/02)
Rangers
Rangers 4-0 Dundee United (12/09)
Hamilton 0-2 Rangers (29/08)
Rangers 2-0 Kilmarnock (22/08)
Livingston 0-0 Rangers (16/08)
Rangers 3-0 St Johnstone (12/08)
Prediction
Lincoln Red Imps may have only conceded one goal in their last five matches but Rangers' forward line should possess far too much firepower for them.
The likes of Roofe, Kent and Hagi will be used to playing on a plastic pitch already after experiencing trips to Hamilton and Livingston this season and their quality will eventually shine through for the Scottish side.
Prediction: Lincoln Red Imps 0-3 Rangers