Sturm Graz v Rangers match preview
Reigning Austrian champions Sturm Graz warmed up for his or her house recreation in opposition to Rangers in nerve-shredding type on Sunday, profitable a derby in opposition to guests Hartberg 1-0 by way of Dominic Vincze’s Ninety fifth-minute own-goal.
The end result places Jurgen Saumel’s group two factors behind leaders Speedy Vienna with a recreation in hand, and their focus is now on incomes their first Europa League factors following a 2-0 defeat at Midtjylland of their opener on September 24.
“They’re a really, very robust group individually – particularly on the wings,” left-back Emir Karic stated of Rangers, who misplaced 1-0 at house to Genk on Matchday 1.
“We have now a plan and no-one wants to fret about us getting into unprepared. [The Merkur Arena] is at all times an actual cauldron.”
Rangers supervisor Russell Martin stays below appreciable strain however earned his first Scottish Premiership win on the sixth try with a 2-1 victory at Livingston on Sunday.
“It’s one other completely different problem, one other European night time and one other likelihood to have an excellent night time collectively,” stated Martin.
“I’m wanting ahead to it, particularly off the again of an excellent feeling within the group after Sunday. [We] confirmed a number of character, dug in collectively and confirmed a number of spirit, a number of combat and a willingness to run.
“That spirit has actually elevated during the last three or 4 weeks. We’re going to attempt to come [to Sturm] and switch the sport into one we would like.”
Sturm Graz v Rangers group information
Georgia worldwide Otar Kiteishvili has been again in coaching for Sturm Graz, having missed two video games as a result of the midfielder returned to his homeland for private causes.
Kiteishvili has been the Austrian Bundesliga participant of the season for the final two campaigns and has 5 objectives and one help in eight membership appearances in 2025/26.
Goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov (wrist), winger Axel Kayombo (ankle) and centre-back Arjan Malic (calf) are out injured, whereas defenders Kristjan Bendra and Aleksandar Borkovic are ineligible.
Proper-back Dujon Sterling is but to return for Rangers from an Achilles harm sustained in April and midfielder Mohamed Diomande is suspended.
Sturm Graz v Rangers predicted line-ups
Sturm Graz beginning XI: Oliver Christensen, Tim Oermann, Emanuel Aiwu, Dimitri Lavalee, Emir Karic, Jacob Peter Hodl, Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Tomi Horvat, Tochi Chukwuani, Seedy Jatta, Otar Kiteishvili
Rangers beginning XI: Jack Butland, James Tavernier, John Souttar, Derek Cornelius, Jayden Meghoma, Oliver Antman, Mikey Moore, Nicolas Raskin, Thelo Aasgaard, Djeidi Gassama, Youssef Chermiti
Learn how to watch Sturm v Rangers: TV channel, on-line reside streams
The match kicks off at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT) on Thursday and is being proven reside within the UK on TNT Sports activities 2.
TNT Sports activities prices £29.99 a month by way of discovery+, which incorporates Eurosport and leisure and is out there on an enormous vary of gadgets together with good TVs and gaming consoles.
