Changes to Rangers Europa League squad named as Clement aims Beale swipe

For their matchup with the 16th team, the Light Blues were able to make three changes.Rangers’ Europa League roster now includes Ridvan Yilmaz, Fabio Silva, and Mohamed Diomande. Philippe Clement said that he wasn’t satisfied with the initial lineup.

The manager believes the three listed offer the most balance to the squad. The Light Blues were able to make three alterations to the roster that was registered for Europe. Oscar Cortes, Kieran Dowell, and Leon Balogun are therefore ineligible for registration; the Belgian acknowledged that, although he would want to have them available, his options were limited.

Yilmaz, Balogun, and Dowell were excluded from the first roster by former manager Michael Beale, and it was the Turk’s exclusion in particular that created problems because Borna Barisic was the only natural left-back that was submitted. Since Sam Lammers left and Jose Cifuentes is probably leaving as well, they have split ways, and Silva and the new signing Diomande are similar replacements.

However, Cortes, another recent hire, is left out, and Clement finds this to be unsettling.

“If you look at finding a balance, Ridvan needs to be in,” he stated. Two full-backs are required; this was an issue in the first round. We were without a left-back if Borna Barisic had an issue.

“On that European list that I sent in today, that was a challenging point. Fabio Silva is in, and Sam Lammers is out. That makes sense. It’s likely that Cifu is not in, thus Diomande enters in his place.

“Since Ridvan will be added to the list, Leon Balogun, Kieran Dowell, and Cortes are not allowed to be on it. I’m hurt by that. Over the previous three days, we have spent hours debating with the staff, and you consistently reach the same conclusions. If you don’t make these adjustments, the equilibrium will be lost.

“I had discussions with the players about that because I’m not happy with the rule, but the rule is the rule and I understand the reason behind it,” Clement had said in response to the incident yesterday.

“At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t entirely in agreement with how the European list was established. However, I’m limited to three adjustments, so it’s inevitable that some of the players I wanted to be on the list won’t be.”

Balogun, who was in the media yesterday as well, said that he was hoping to be included this time.

“I’m hoping that our relationship doesn’t take a hit because he doesn’t pick me,” he laughed. Of course, though, I’m hoping to be part of it this time. I believe I’ve done enough to get him to at least think about it, but time will tell.”

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