Six Rangers players omitted from squad with futures in doubt

Pedro Caixinha has left six first-team players out his Rangers squad ahead of the club's return to Europe.

Andy Halliday's Rangers future in doubt after omission from Rangers' European squad. Picture: SNS/Craig Foy

Rob Kiernan, Andy Halliday, Matt Crooks, Harry Forrester, Michael O’Halloran and Joe Dodoo were omitted from the squad list for the Europa League first qualifying round tie against Progres Niederkorn, the first-leg is played on Thursday.

The omission has put the players’ futures in doubt at Ibrox with O’Halloran reported to have interested St Johnstone, while Halliday is rumoured to have been ordered to have trained with the club’s under-20s.

Their exclusion has opened room for seven of Caixinha’s summer signings to be included in the squad. Fabio Cardoso, Ryan Jack, Carlos Pena, Dalcio, Eduardo Herrera and Alfredo Morelos have all been registered, as well as Bruno Alves, although the experienced centre-back is still involved in the Confederations Cup with Portugal in Russia.

If Rangers are to progress against their Luxembourg opponents another space will have to be made for Daniel Candeias. His registration has been held up due to a paperwork issue with his former club Alanyaspor. The Portuguese winger was on loan from Benfica last season but the necessary documents have not arrived in time from Turkey.

There are set to be a number of players leaving Ibrox in the coming weeks, while Caixinha is still hopeful of making more additions with the club strongly linked with a move for Scottish international Graham Dorrans.