Rangers chief Caixinha makes emphatic decision on five senior stars – report
By Matt Farr
Rangers attacker Joe Dodoo is one of five senior players to have been omitted from the club’s Europa League squad, according to a report.
The Daily Record claim that the 21-year-old forward will not play any part of Rangers’ upcoming Europa League qualifying first-round clash with Luxembourg outfit Progres Niederkorn on Thursday at Ibrox.
Dodoo’s omission might come as a considerable surprise after the former Leicester City youngster was used regularly by manager Pedro Caixinha following his arrival at the club in March.
He appeared in eight of Caixinha’s 10 matches in charge in the Scottish Premiership last season, but he has not been named among the 23 players in the squad to face Progres Niederkorn.
Andy Halliday, Harry Forrester, Rob Kiernan and Michael O’Halloran have also been omitted from the squad as Caixinha makes yet another emphatic decision ahead of the new season.
He has already chosen to axe veteran centre-back Clint Hill from his squad at the end of his contract, despite his impressive displays for the club during the 2016-17 campaign.
Rangers do not currently boast enough players in their squad who have spent three seasons training with the club between the ages of 15 and 21, with only Barrie McKay and Danny Wilson falling under the ruling.
They cannot therefore, submit a full 25-man squad unless they can name another two club-trained players, which sees Caixinha axe no fewer than five of his senior stars.
Seven of his eight summer signings, meanwhile, are included in the squad, and could make their competitive debuts for the Scottish club on Thursday.
Fabio Cardoso, Ryan Jack, Dalcio, Eduardo Herrera, Carlos Pena, Alfredo Morelos and Bruno Alves are all in contention, but Daniel Candeias cannot feature for the club until July 1, and is therefore unavailable to be named.
Alves is also unlikely to play a major role, despite being named in the squad, because he is currently on international duty with Portugal at the Confederations Cup.
In other Rangers news, the club are set to hold talks on Monday with an English club for this midfielder.
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