Rangers: In-form Porto will test Ibrox side’s improvement

Porto will present the biggest challenge of Rangers’ recent improvement under head coach Danny Rohl.

Francesco Farioli’s side need to win on Thursday to get into the Europa League’s top eight and straight through to the last 16, as they sit ninth on goal difference as it stands.

That gives the 36-year-old Italian reason to play his strongest side as they also aim to stretch their unbeaten run to 12 games, having won 10 of their last 11.

Porto’s biggest strength is their defence.

Arsenal loanee Jakub Kiwior and former Southampton centre-half Jan Bednarek, along with Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, have been the bedrock of a strong unit.

They have also recruited 41-year-old Champions League winner Thiago Silva to their ranks, although he cannot be registered before the knockout stage after his switch from Fluminense.

Nonetheless, the Primeira Liga leaders have conceded just four goals in 19 league matches this season and have kept seven clean sheets in their last 11 games.

Up the other end, Spain striker Samu Aghehowa has 20 goals already this campaign, while former Norwich City winger Borja Sainz is also among a clutch of dangerous attackers.

They have found life harder in the Europa League than domestically, as you would expect, but Nottingham Forest are still the only side to defeat Porto in the competition.

That is one of only two defeats all season for the Portuguese side, who will start the match as strong favourites.