Ryan Jack starts: Rangers TV pundit tips in-form star to be axed v Braga after double player reveal
Alan Hutton has tipped Ryan Jack and Calvin Bassey to return to the Rangers starting XI against Braga after missing the win over St Mirren.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Ibrox defender and Rangers TV pundit suggested Borna Barisic is in line for the axe despite a standout display against the Buddies on Sunday.
Speaking to Sky Sports, as quoted by the Scottish Sun (10 April), Giovanni van Bronckhorst confirmed he wanted to give Jack, 30, and Bassey, 22, a rest ahead of Thursday’s game against Braga.
The duo both started the away leg in Portugal.
Hutton suggested Barisic’s impressive display against St Mirren would not save him from the axe.
Asked if he expects Jack and Bassey to step straight back into the XI on Thursday, Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Yeah, as well as Barisic played.
“I thought he was really good because he lacked confidence for the last number of weeks now.
“So to come in against St Mirren, a team who are struggling, I think it was good for him. He got forward, got good deliveries into the box and he was really unlucky not to have a couple of assists on the day.
“He’ll be happy with his performance but I think with these two games coming up, Bassey will come back in, especially for his defensive duties.
“I think one-v-one defending, he’s better than Barisic. Even though he doesn’t maybe give you the same threat forward going forward, in the bigger games that’s probably left up to Tavernier a little bit more.
“I do believe Jack and Bassey will come back in.”
Rangers lost the first leg in Braga 1-0.
They face Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday.
In other news, John Lundstram injury update issued after behind-the-scenes sighting.