GIOVANNI Van Bronckhorst has hailed the intensity and application of his Rangers side as Hearts, Hibernian and Annan Athletic have been beaten and the champions have started the recovery in the aftermath of their Old Firm humbling.

Those qualities will be paramount in Dortmund on Thursday evening and that desire and will to win is the very least that the Ibrox boss can demand from his players on such a significant evening of Europa League football.

But all eyes will be on Van Bronckhorst as well and the Dutchman must get his selection and his tactics right if Rangers are to stand a chance of earning a result that gives them a shot at overcoming Marco Rose’s side on home soil next week.

Van Bronckhorst is not short of options within his squad. Here, Herald and Times Sport looks at three key issues that he faces as he ponders his options ahead of the Dortmund showdown.

HOW DOES THE BACK FOUR SHAPE UP?

Two of the spots in front of keeper Allan McGregor pick themselves and James Tavernier and Connor Goldson are certainties to start as long as they come through the final training sessions before Rangers take to the field at Signal Iduna Park.

The other couple of places ultimately rest on the fitness of Leon Balogun. If he doesn’t make it, then Calvin Bassey must start alongside Goldson and Borna Barisic will line up at left-back.

The Croatian is attempting to rebuild his confidence after a nightmare outing at Parkhead and Van Bronckhorst will have to assess his suitability to take to the field against Dortmund.

If Balogun isn’t fit to return after hobbling off against Hibernian then Van Bronckhorst will have no choice but to pitch Bassey in at centre-back and hope that Barisic can rise to the occasion in the Europa League.

SHOULD AARON RAMSEY START IN MIDFIELD?

Substitute outings in the wins over Hearts and Hibernian allowed Ramsey to get match minutes under his belt whilst he built up his fitness in training at Auchenhowie.

He would catch the eye with an accomplished hour at Galabank last weekend but time will tell if that is enough to earn him a start against a star-studded Dortmund midfield.

There is no doubt that Ramsey has the class and quality to shine on such a stage. He may prove to be a more useful option off the bench, though, and it will be intriguing to see what part the former Juventus star plays in Germany.

If Rangers lose the midfield battle, they are unlikely to get anything out of the game and it would be no surprise if Van Bronckhorst – given the pragmatism that he has shown as boss – seeks to go with three more defensive options and keeps Ramsey in reserve.

WHO GETS THE NOD ON THE RIGHT OF THE FRONT THREE?

Van Bronckhorst addressed his options for this position last week as he spoke of the impact that Scott Arfield can have when moved forward a line and into a more advanced role.

Given the way that Amad Diallo performed against Celtic, it seems unlikely that he will be given another start in a game of such magnitude.

Diallo certainly has talent and could be a threat if Rangers attempt to soak up pressure and hit Dortmund on the break. That option is available on the other flank, though, and the defensive side of the game won’t suit the Ivorian here.

Van Bronckhorst could look to utilise Joe Aribo on the right and allow him to operate closer to Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos in the Rangers attack. But the occasion seems tailor-made for Arfield and the 33-year-old will surely be a key part of the Gers blueprint.