How does Gio van Bronckhorst handle Alfredo Morelos going in to the PSV Eindhoven clash after his red card at Easter Road?
CRAIG SWAN: Rangers are far bigger than one player. The manager doesn’t need to take special measures. It’s about a club, not an individual.
GORDON PARKS: The same as every other Rangers boss who’s had to cope with these Morelos issues. He should start against the Dutch and be told to try to make amends for his red card against Hibs.
GAVIN BERRY: Maybe he could be clever and use it to his advantage. Tell him he’s starting and that he owes it to everyone to make up for his actions by firing Rangers into the Champions League. You could just imagine Alex Ferguson doing that kind of thing. It’s worth a shot. Morelos is a temperamental character but he can do the business on his day.
MICHAEL GANNON: He has a strong word in the ear of the Colombian that he can’t afford to go back to the liability days while also informing the striker he’ll be on the bench again in Eindhoven. Antonio Colak has done enough to earn the nod.
Rangers and Hearts will try to overturn deficits in Holland and at Tynecastle this week, what European paths will they end up following?
CRAIG: Both face tough tasks. Rangers are slight outsiders on away soil and so are Hearts at home as they trail by a goal. Fingers crossed for both.
GORDON: It’s going to be Europa League for Rangers and Conference League for Hearts. PSV are a level above the Light Blues and FC Zurich looked just that bit better than the Jambos.
GAVIN: They will likely both end up in the Europa League group stage together. Hearts will have enough with a packed Gorgie crowd behind them but you just get the feeling the Ibrox side have left themselves with a little too much to do after conceding that goal late on against PSV.
MICHAEL: PSV are defensively ropey but while Rangers can catch them, the Dutch side are dangerous. It might be a bridge too far. Hearts are still in the fight but it’s likely to be Europa League for Gers and the Europa Conference for the Jambos.
How does Jack Ross halt the alarming early season slide at Dundee United?
CRAIG: Hard work. It’s the only way. Every team will have a tough period this term. You just have to fight through it.
GORDON: United’s squad has enough quality to pull Ross out of this slump but it needs to happen quickly. Maybe it’s time that Ross told his players a few home truths and start busting a gut to get some results for their manager.
GAVIN: With great difficulty by the looks of things. They have Celtic up next and it’s hard to see them getting anything against the champions. In fact, they have to make sure they avoid a real drubbing which would knock their confidence even more - if that’s possible. It’s early days but if Ross can’t stop the rot soon then they could be in big trouble this season with a tough run of games coming up.
MICHAEL: He needs to completely hit the reset button and try to find a shred of confidence. Easier said than done. United have Celtic, Motherwell, Hibs and Rangers up next in the league. Jack is only in the door and he’s already being dragged in to deep waters.
Celtic go in to the Champions League hat on Thursday, but how realistic is the possibility of getting out of the group stage?
CRAIG: Celtic have to walk before they can run. Coming from Pot Four, it’s unrealistic to expect them to get through.
GORDON: Celtic are in a similar situation to Rangers in that the Europa League is their level if their respective recent history is assessed. The Hoops would need to show a drastic improvement if they are to progress.
GAVIN: Unlikely. Yes, Celtic improved throughout last season under Ange Postecoglou and winning the league was an incredible achievement but they were disappointing in Europe and you just feel that their style will be punished by the top quality sides with the Parkhead boss not willing to compromise on his approach.
MICHAEL: It would be a monumental achievement and looks a tad fanciful in Ange Postecoglou’s first crack at the competition. Securing third spot won’t be easier either given the frightening standard of teams in pot three, but securing Europa League football after Christmas would be classes as success.
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