'Bassey's confidence is high' - Rangers boss admits facing selection dilemma pre-Alashkert

Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has admitted that he is facing a selection dilemma ahead of his side's Europa League playoff round tie against Armenian champions Alashkert at Ibrox Stadium on Thursday night.

The former Liverpool captain is considering whether to include Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey in the starting line-up or revert to his first choice left-back, Croatian international Borna Barisic.

Bassey put in a man-of-the-match display in Rangers' 5-0 rout of Dunfermline Athletic, setting up two of the goals netted by the Light Blues and was recognized for his brilliant performance after he was selected in the latest SPFL Team of the Week.

Asked if there's an opportunity for Bassey to potentially feature tomorrow night, Gerrard said to reporters at Wednesday's press conference : "'Potentially', I like that word in your question. You know me, I am not one to give teams out 24 hours before the big game but what I can confirm is Calvin's in a fantastic place.

"He can't do any more, he's trained ever so well, his confidence is high up and I don't think he'd done much wrongly.

"His performance was strong the other night in and out of possession and he has since that game given me something to think  about.

"I'm happy with both my young fullbacks, they are doing everything I'm asking of them".

Bassey has not made his starting debut for Rangers in Europe, having previously played four games as a substitute in the Europa League and Europa League qualifying.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel