Van Bronckhorst ready to rotate for Lyon clash

Giovanni van Bronckhorst is set to ring the changes for Rangers’ Europa League dead rubber against Lyon tonight.

The Dutchman guided the Scottish champions into the knockout round play-offs in his first game as Steven Gerrard’s successor with a 2-0 home win over Sparta Prague last month.

The French side have dominated Group A with five wins out of five to take them into the next stage as section winners ahead of the final fixture.

With a tough cinch Premiership game away to Hearts on Sunday looming, Van Bronckhorst, who has won all four games since taking over the Ibrox hot seat, will utilise his squad with players such as Nathan Patterson, John Lundstram and Scott Wright in line for a start.

“We have to watch the physical state of my players closely,” said the former Gers midfielder, who will assess his squad’s fitness following their final training session, although defender Leon Balogun remains out with a knock.

“It is also a game where I can change some positions and give other players some minutes who need them. I am more than comfortable to do that.

“For the players who come in, it is always good to have minutes.

“One of the downsides of being a coach with a big squad with good players is to disappoint players every game.

“That is not easy to do but you have to do it and when you have the chance to give those players a chance to play it is always good. It is a nice feeling and for the players as well, because some players didn’t play as much in the last weeks but gave everything in training and their mentality was good.

“So I am very pleased to give some players minutes tomorrow.”

Zeb Jacobs will take up the head of coaching role within Rangers’ academy from January 1, joining from Royal Antwerp where he was talent co-ordinator.