Aarons To Start? | Predicted 4-3-3 Rangers Lineup To Face Sturm Graz | OneFootball

A hard-fought last-gasp victory against Livingston should boost the spirit in the Rangers camp ahead of their trip to Austria to clash heads with SK Sturm Graz for the upcoming Europa League group phase encounter. Having lost their respective opening gameweek fixtures, both teams would aim for all three points on Thursday night to stay in the hunt for a knockout spot.

Sturm Graz, the reigning Austrian champions, have made a strong start to their Bundesliga campaign. Rangers, in contrast, have only climbed out of the relegation zone by clinching their first league win last weekend. However, they must build some momentum across competitions to ease the pressure off Russell Martin, who is under immense pressure after a dreadful start to their season.

Predicted 4-3-3 Rangers Lineup To Face Sturm Graz

Defence

It has not been an easy ride for Jack Butland, despite reclaiming his ‘number 1’ status. The Light Blues are leaking goals due to defensive frailties, and the veteran Englishman might undergo another tricky test this midweek.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 05: Oliver Antman of Rangers vies with Karel Spáčil of FC Viktoria Plzeň during the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round First Leg match between Rangers and Viktoria Plzeň at Ibrox Stadium on August 05, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Skipper James Tavernier missed from the spot minutes after scoring an exquisite goal against Livi. He must maintain his balance between attack and defence while featuring from the right. Additionally, the central defensive duo of John Souttar and Derek Cornelius must demonstrate composure and resilience in the heart of the defence. Jayden Meghoma was forced to leave the pitch on Sunday afternoon with an injury concern. He remains the Gers’ only natural left-back, and the manager might turn his attention to Max Aarons, who scored the injury-time winner in West Lothian as a second-half substitute. The on-loan Bournemouth fullback is available again after serving his one-game European suspension.

Midfield

Besides below-par performances, disciplinary issues have further complicated Martin’s managerial run. Rangers conceded soon after Mohamed Diomande’s marching order against Genk, and the unavailability of the Ivorian could see the gaffer stick with a three-man midfield of Connor Barron, Nicolas Raskin and Thelo Aasgaard. Barron should operate from the base as a deep-lying playmaker, allowing the rest to operate box-to-box and showcase their creative spark in and around the attacking third. Raskin might slot down the deep and form a ‘double pivot’ if Martin switches to a 4-2-3-1, deploying Aasgaard as a ‘number 10’.

Rangers have replaced Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane with Bojan Miovski and Youssef Chermiti up top. The latter is expected to start as he did against Genk, but concerns remain over Oliver Antman and Djeidi Gassama’s end product following their summer transfers. The pair should get the nod down the flanks ahead of Mikey Moore and Findlay Curtis.