Three Rangers players who have picked themselves against Livingston after Genk performance
Russell Martin has several selection headaches ahead of him after Rangers fell to a 1-0 defeat against Genk in the Europa League.
The last time that the Bears had four points from their opening five Premiership games was the 1978-79 campaign, 47 years ago.
Philippe Clement endured a similarly poor start last season, but at least the Belgian was able to deliver a strong showing on the continent before being relieved of his duties.
But the same cannot be said for Martin, who appears to be close to being sacked by Rangers, as his side are winless in their last four European games, and are yet to win a league game.
With the walls closing in on the ex-Southampton manager, here are three players who must start for the Bears in their next game against Livingston.
Oliver Antman
Oliver Antman enjoyed a stunning Rangers debut against Viktoria Plzen, but has done little for Martin‘s side since then.
However, Mikey Moore struggled immensely against Genk and was hooked at half-time, being replaced by the Finnish winger.
The case for Antman starting is based more on his playstyle out on the right, rather than his recent form.
The former Go Ahead Eagles man tends to hang a little wider than Moore, who prefers to look to cut inside and get a shot off.
The English winger has created just one chance in the SPFL, in contrast to Antman‘s six, and having a wide man who will create more opportunities for Rangers‘ strikers like Youssef Chermiti is exactly what Martin’s side needs.
Bojan Miovski
Much like Antman, the decision to start Bojan Miovski is largely based on the failings of Chermiti, rather than anything special the Macedonian has done himself.
However, unlike the Portuguese forward, the ex-Aberdeen man does actually have a strong pedigree of finding the back of the net.
Miovski scored 26 goals in the 2023-24 season for the Dons and whilst his time at Girona was disappointing, he was signed based on his record in his previous spell in the SPFL.
The decision to sell Hamza Igamane to Lille and Cyriel Dessers to Panathinaikos is looking more and more silly, given Chermiti’s inability to hit the ground running.
But with a striker who has, and can, find the back of the net in the SPFL at his disposal, Martin must start the North Macedonia international in Rangers’ next outing.
Djeidi Gassama
Provided that the clattering he received in the latter stages from Mujaid Sadick doesn’t have a lasting effect, Djeidi Gassama is positively undroppable at this stage for Martin.
The French winger seemed to be the only player against Genk with any desire to grab the game by the scruff of its neck and make something happen.
| Djeidi Gassama vs Genk | Stats |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Pass accuracy | 27/30 (90%) |
| Shot accuracy | 1/3 (33%) |
| Successful dribbles | 3/8 (38%) |
| Duels won | 9/19 (47%) |
| Was fouled | 4 |
Gassama saw a dangerous shot drift wide in the second half and was never afraid to face up against Genk’s defenders, even if he found little joy on the night.
Whilst there are plenty of question marks at right-wing, attacking midfield, and striker, the 22-year-old has absolutely nailed the left-wing role as his own, and he must start against Livingston.