RANGERS will be without the services of Connor Goldson for their Europa League Group A clash with Sparta Prague on Thursday night.

Steven Gerrard and his players have flown out to the Czech capital ahead of the European fixture but it is understood that the centre-half has remained in Glasgow. At the time of writing, the reason for Goldson's absence is unknown.

The 28-year-old has established himself as a key player under Gerrard since moving to Ibrox in 2018 and has missed only a handful of games in that period.

However, Goldson's absence leaves his manager with something of a selection headache in central defence, with Sweden internationalist Filip Helander out for the foreseeable after undergoing knee surgery.

Leon Balogun appears destined to get the nod to start against Sparta, while Calvin Bassey - a natural left-back - could partner the Nigerian, with central defender Jack Simpson unregistered to play for Rangers in Europe.