The card of Rangers FC is seen ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Round of 16 Draw at the UEFA Headquarters, The House of the European Footbal…Photo by Kristian Skeie – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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Philippe Clement names 21-man Europa League squad with shock Rangers striker omission
Thu 5 September 2024 14:36
Updated Thu 5 September 2024 15:29
Gavin Kelly
Rangers dropped into the Europa League after failing to make it through the qualifying rounds of the Champions League and have named their squad for the league phase.
Again, it is one where Philippe Clement has had to leave players out who could have been useful and it won’t have been a five-minute job working out who does and who doesn’t make the squad.
Last season, he inherited Michael Beale’s Europa League squad with only Borna Barisic at left-back and no Leon Balogun – despite the big Nigerian being his preferred partner for Connor Goldson.
READ MORE: Rangers in 24/25 Europa League: New Format Explained
A general view of the UEFA Europa League Molten match ball prior to the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between Rangers FC and Real Betis at Ibrox…
Photo by Steve Bardens – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Rangers announce Europa League league phase squad
This time, with the league phase lasting beyond December, there is an anomaly that could benefit the bigger clubs with deeper resources.
Should Rangers buy new players in January, they won’t be eligible to join the Europa League squad until the commencement of the knockout stages.
This means that those with more depth in terms of quality and homegrown resources can absorb the transfer window changes.
After this squad, the next time Clement can change it is for the February the 6th deadline. So, this is what he has to work with as he takes on a group that wouldn’t look out of place in the Champions League.
Goalkeepers
Jack Butland
Liam Kelly
Lewis Budinauckas
Defenders
James Tavernier
Ridvan Yilmaz
Robin Propper
John Souttar
Dujon Sterling
Jefte
Neraysho Kasanwirjo
Leon Balogun
Midfielders
Oscar Cortes
Connor Barron
Mohamed Diomande
Nedim Bajrami
Kieran Dowell
Nicolas Raskin
Forwards
Cyriel Dessers
Tom Lawrence
Vaclav Cerny
Hamza Igamane
In the 21-man squad, there is no Rabbi Matondo, Clinton Nsiala or Ianis Hagi but the big shock is the omission of Danilo.
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Academy players don’t have to be named in the A list and can take up their spot on the B list.
An issue that Clement wanted to address but didn’t during the summer transfer window was the lack of homegrown players capable of making a telling contribution in the first-team squad.
Liam Kelly and Connor Barron arrived, however, Robby McCrorie, Scott Wright and Ryan Jack all left.
What Rangers fans will see more of is players like Ross McCausland, Robbie Fraser, Alex Lowry, Leon King and Cole McKinnon in the European squads to join Kelly, Barron and John Souttar.
Out of eight homegrown players, four must be club trained. Thankfully, Kelly comes under this category.
Philippe Clement has plan to aid Scottish clubs
It has been a major issue developing players from age group level to senior level but the Gers boss has a plan: “I think what this country misses is that the B teams can play in the second league.
“That would help a lot. And you see countries where a lot of young players get chances and can grow, but also have a step in between.
“Like Belgium, like Holland, where the B teams of several clubs are playing in the second league or in the third league.
“And because of that, you also get more players who at the age of 20, 21, 22 are ready to play in the first league.
“I’m sure it will be a very good thing for Scottish football to do that – and for all the teams.
“People sometimes think it’s a good thing for Celtic, Rangers and Hearts and maybe some other teams, but not for the rest.
“But it’s not the case, because the players who don’t succeed here, they have experience in the second league. And then to go to Ross County for example. So everybody benefits out of that.”
Philippe Clement is right, the B team plan has never really gone far enough but because the SPFL is run by its 42 member clubs, it is an idea that will never get voted through, even if it does end up benefiting “smaller” teams.
Without an academy director, Rangers still don’t have a formalised structure for their pre-first team players like Bailey Rice.
How is he supposed to kick on to the level that he is capable of if he is playing glorified friendlies.
A look across at his old youth level teammate Lennon Miller at Motherwell must be one that he casts with envious eyes.
Either way, Rangers have to find a way, either in the transfer market or by making Auchenhowie a genuine home for developing talent.
If they don’t, the next manager will have exactly the same problem that Philippe Clement has now.
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