Image source, SNSMotherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou did not rule out including in-demand Lennon Miller in his squad if he proves his fitness after a minor injury.
Jordan McGhee (thigh), Sam Nicholson (knee) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) are out.
Mikey Moore is unlikely to be available for Rangers as he awaits international clearance on his loan move from Tottenham while Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane miss out with knocks.
Image source, SNSRangers winger Ross McCausland has joined Cypriot side Aris Limassol on loan for the season.
The deal for the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international includes a conditional obligation to buy.
McCausland, who joined the Rangers academy from Linfield in 2019, has made 66 appearances for the Ibrox club and scored seven goals.
He joins former Rangers defenders Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun at Limassol.
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSRangers midfielder Joe Rothwell insists they have full focus on the start of the Premiership campaign after overcoming Panathinaikos.
The Ibrox side travel to face Motherwell looking for a fast start as they seek to challenge champions Celtic, with a Champions League third qualifying round home tie against Viktoria Plzeň to follow on Tuesday.
"It was just about getting through and winning the tie, which thankfully we did," Rothwell said of the 3-1 aggregate win over the Greek side.
"That can put us in a good place to come and start the Premiership.
"I said when I came here, European football was a massive pull. So, to give ourselves a chance to progress and get into the Champions League, which is ultimately what we would like to do, but to put in place now that we've guaranteed European football, that's massive for us.
"So we'll build on it. Now our focus has shifted away from that and on to the league.
"I think we know, as players, it's going to be massive. Obviously, getting off to a winning start is what we want to do."
Rothwell, who joined from Bournemouth on a three-year deal this summer, expects Premiership teams to be motivated to overcome Rangers as they seek to assert themselves as title contenders.
"Everyone's going to want to beat us," he said. "So we want to go out there and put on a real show but, ultimately, it's a result-based business and we're going there to win the game.
"I think it's going to be fast and erratic at the start of the games and it's down to us to hopefully take control of the games and build some momentum as quickly as we can."
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSHead coach Russell Martin has been speaking to the media before Rangers' opening Premiership fixture against Motherwell at Fir Park this weekend.
Here are the key points:
Martin described Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore as a "brilliant signing" and insists the 17-year-old winger can make an impact, adding "if you're good enough, you're old enough".
The former Swansea and Southampton manager pointed to his record of developing young players but was adamant they are there to win, with development alongside that the "ultimate goal".
Rangers await international clearance so it remains unclear whether Moore will feature at Fir Park.
Martin believes everyone at Rangers has navigated change across the club "really well" as such a process can often be "really messy".
He agreed that being thrown in at the deep end for European ties will help his players learn very quickly and they've shown a lot of resilience and character.
While citing a need to start their title challenge positively, Martin also said "if and when" they face disappointment it will be about "how we respond to that".
He believes additional recruits are required to strengthen "a couple of really key areas" but Rangers have a starting team "that can compete".
New signing Thelo Aasgaard and striker Hamza Igamane remain sidelined but are close to fitness.
We asked for your views on how Rangers are shaping up for the new Premiership season, which gets under way with a trip to face Motherwell on Saturday.
Here's what some of you said:
Harry: Surely any manager must recognise that we simply don't have the quality of player to play out of your own box with dozens of short passes. Only a matter of time before someone cashes in on our inability to keep the ball. I'm afraid if Russell Martin can't recognise this then chances are he will be gone by Christmas.
John: Not very hopeful, Martin hasn't really had success at previous clubs he managed, no plan B when things go wrong and his style of football isn't what we expect at Ibrox. Another bad managerial appointment.
David: Some decent looking signings, but I was and still am awaiting the marquee signing or signings, there's still time though.
Jimmy: Need some more quality signings in if we are to be successful this season as the squad is not good enough. Another decent defender, a midfielder and a quality striker must be added or we will be trophyless again. But I do like Martin, given time he'll be a success but time will tell.
David: Another rebuild. Another new manager. Another restart. Martin and the new players need patience. However it never happens at Rangers. If we can get a left-back, wingers, another centre-half, move players like Ben Davies, Rabbi Matondo, Jose Cifuentes on, it will see us in good shape. Phase James Tavernier out. Djeidi Gassama looks like a great signing. Jack Butland back to his best. There's stability off the park, so hopefully this is the start of a new era. Onwards and upwards.
Tom: Martin talks about speed, aggression and intensity but he picks Tavernier who is the opposite of what he is asking for. I hope to be proven wrong but I think Martin will be undone quite early in the season by a poor defence unless he can find a clinical edge to the attack to score more than we lose.
Image source, SNSMotherwell have won two of their past four league meetings with Rangers (D1 L1), as many as their previous 71 beforehand (W2 D16 L53). The Steelmen are looking to pick up back-to-back league wins over Rangers for the frst time since April 1960.
Rangers are unbeaten in 30 away league visits to Motherwell (W20 D10) since a 1-0 defeat in December 2002. Only at Morton (41 from 1920 to 1987) have the Ibrox side ever enjoyed a longer unbeaten away run in the league.
Motherwell's Jens Berthel Askou will be the frst Danish manager to take charge of a side in the Scottish top-fight since Ebbe Skovdahl, who oversaw 130 league matches with Aberdeen from 1999 to 2002 (W40 D31 L59).
Rangers have failed to win or even score on matchday one in both of their past two league seasons (D1 L1); they last failed to win their opening game in three straight league campaigns from 1982-83 to 1984-85 (D3) – one of which was a 2-2 draw at Motherwell.
Rangers have won their first league match under a new manager (including interim/caretaker) in seven of their past eight attempts, with the only exception being Steven Gerrard's 1-1 draw at Aberdeen in 2018-19.
Image source, SNSMikey Moore sought advice from former Spurs and Rangers striker Jermain Defoe before committing to an Ibrox loan switch.
Defoe was at Rangers from 2019 to 2022, scoring 32 goals, before he coached Moore in the Tottenham Under-18 side.
"As soon as I called him, he said 'if you've got an opportunity to go to Rangers, you take it'," the teenager explained after completing his temporary switch to Ibrox.
"Speaking to him was massive for me because of his experience up here and I'm really close to him. He's a massive role model for me. He couldn't speak any better of the club and the people here.
"What Jermain did in his career was special. I'm lucky enough to be still learning from him all the time. Now I'm excited to do something here myself."
Image source, Getty ImagesMikey Moore revealed his love for Rangers after joining on a season-long loan and said the pressure to win every week was a key factor in his move from Tottenham.
Highly-rated winger Moore, who turns 18 this month, is an England Under-19 international and became Spurs' youngest-ever Premier League player when he made his debut in May 2024 at the age of 16 years and 277 days.
Moore told Rangers TV it was an "easy decision" to move to Ibrox and added: "I've always loved Rangers as a club. My family have always loved them.
"There's massive history at the club and I wanted to come to a place where you need to win every week.
"At this club you need to beat the team you're up against every single week. That's what is expected of you and I want to play under that pressure. That was a big factor in me joining this club.
"I'm buzzing to get going and show people what I can do."
On what he will bring to Russell Martin's side, Moore said: "Goals and assists. The main reason I play football is I want to excite people.
"There's no better thing as a fan when you're watching a player and he's getting at people, fearlessness in the way he plays, and that sums me up as a player. I just wat to excite all the fans."
Moore made eight starts in 19 appearances for Spurs last season, scoring once, and will now aim to become a Rangers regular.
Sporting director Kevin Thelwell said: "It is no secret there was significant interest from elsewhere in Mikey and we are delighted that he has chosen Rangers at this stage in his career.
"He rose to prominence with Spurs last year and it is a reflection of his temperament and quality as a player that he made an immediate impact at a senior level which demands the best.
"We are convinced that Mikey is a player who will enhance our attacking unit."
Image source, SNSMax Aarons says Rangers showed title-winning grit in passing a "great test" with Champions League victory over Panathinaikos.
Substitute Djeidi Gassama scored for the second game running to bring Russell Martin's side level on the night in Athens shortly after the hosts' opener.
Rangers survived heavy pressure in both games as they progressed 3-1 on aggregate to set up a third-round qualifier with Viktoria Plzen.
Left-back Aarons, who joined on loan from Bournemouth this summer, told Rangers TV: "It was extremely difficult, coming to Athens against a team at the top end of their league it is always going to be extremely difficult and then you add the weather in.
"We knew what we were coming into and I think we always knew it was going to be a different game to what it was at Ibrox, and we had to grind it out for sure.
"It is interesting because it is so early on in our time as a group. It is definitely a test and we really came through it.
"I think we grew into the game in the first leg, we grew into the game in this game as well. It is a great test for us and seeing this group can dig in.
"You need to dig in to win leagues, to win cup competitions and get as far as you can.
"You have to look to the side and know everyone is going to battle and I think we definitely showed that, which is really good to see."
Image source, SNSViktoria Plzen's domestic match this weekend has been postponed to allow the Czech side to "fully concentrate" on the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Rangers at Ibrox on Tuesday.
Miroslav Koubek's team were due to visit Mlada Boleslav on Saturday in the third match of the league season, but have succeeded in their request to the Czech FA for a call-off.
Plzen overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit with a 3-1 away win at Servette on Wednesday night to advance to the third-round qualifier against Russell Martin's side.
"Due to Tuesday's match in Glasgow and the associated travel, we asked the LFA and Mlada Boleslav to postpone Saturday's match," said club spokesman Vaclav Hanzlik.
"We greatly appreciate that both sides have agreed to this and we can now fully concentrate on the very important third qualifying round match of the Champions League, which is important in terms of the coefficient for Czech football as a whole."
Should Rangers make it past Plzen, a new SPFL rule means they will be able to postpone their Scottish Premiership visit to St Mirren on August 23 before the second leg of their Champions League play-off.
Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator
Firstly, you have to acknowledge Rangers have done superbly to navigate an extremely tricky Champions League tie by beating Panathinaikos over two legs in Russell Martin's first games in charge.
The Greeks were a good side, albeit one that could do with some serious finishing practice, and to overcome them was a hugely important first step for Martin in his new role.
But the head coach admitted afterwards his side need to improve to have a successful season and few would disagree, as better teams will punish Rangers if they give up as many chances as they did over the two legs against Panathinaikos.
Their next European opponents, the Czechs Viktoria Plzen, are probably not better than the Greeks, but their 3-1 victory away to Servette, to overturn a 1-0 home defeat, suggests they are not to be taken lightly as Rangers try to reach the league stage of the competition.
But an earlier test of Rangers' mettle comes on Saturday as they kick off the domestic league season away to Motherwell, where they dropped points last season and can ill afford to do similarly as they seek to give Celtic a run for their money in the Premiership.
Martin must weigh up the merits of trying to mould a cohesive team structure by sticking with the players who have started both games so far or resting some at this early stage in the season and giving opportunities to others in the squad.
It would be no surprise to see Wednesday's hero Djeidi Gassama start for the first time, while the Rangers fans will hope Thelo Aasgaard is available to play some part having been injured for the opening two games.
Equally, though Saturday may come too soon, they will want further reinforcements to the squad for the challenges ahead. Rangers have been heavily linked with a number of wingers, with Mikey Moore of Spurs the closest to joining at this stage.
But the early performances suggest they need at least two more defenders - a natural left-back and a left-sided centre-back - sooner rather than later, while others need to be moved on, which is easier said than done.
Nonetheless, the first hurdle has been successfully cleared and great credit has to go to Martin and his players for that. Another busy and interesting week lies ahead.
We asked for your views on Rangers' progress to the Champions League third round of qualifying after the 1-1 draw away to Panathinaikos completed a 3-1 aggregate win.
Here's what some of you said:
Ronald: Poor performance from Rangers, especially giving the ball away, but they rode their luck and scored a great goal. Must do better.
Elaine: Fabulous result. Okay it wasn't pretty but let's face it, when this game came out the hat, we'd have bitten your hand off for this result. Well done Rangers and we move on.
Bob: A shambles - too many balls given away and a better team would have thrashed us. You can only play Russell Martin type football with players who are competent and comfortable with the ball. Our lot aren't that skilful. It is going to be a Southampton repeat.
Bill: It was only the ineptitude of the Greeks that allowed Rangers to progress. Too many Rangers players dwelling on the ball inside their own half and getting their pockets picked and poor passes to the opposition. Rangers needed to stretch the game but didn't have the personnel. The manager has much to do, the board needs to back him in the market.
Ivie: That was a good result in a difficult environment. The thing is, they dug in deep when required and hopefully that will make them grow in confidence. It's still early but it should give them a lift.
David: All about the result, not the performance. An excellent result in difficult conditions. Didn't seem to be many lessons learned unfortunately. As in the first leg, most of our problems were self-inflicted - constantly losing possession in dangerous areas when trying to play out from the back. All looks so fragile and uncomfortable just now. A lot of work ahead to get everyone on the same song sheet with this style of play.
Highlights: Panathinaikos 1-1 Rangers
Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday on BBC Scotland
Rangers are a work in progress and will definitely improve on what they've shown over the two legs.
There are a lot of things for them to work on and new faces will help as well.
Ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd on Sky Sports
Some exciting players have arrived at Rangers - but Russell Martin is not silly, he will know that there is a lot of work to be done.
It's another tie out of the way, but they will have to tighten up defensively. Yes, Panathinaikos harassed Rangers and forced them into mistakes - but they were asking question after question of Rangers.
Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell on BBC Sportsound
That's the big thing with Russell Martin - he thrives on the training ground.
The longer he has with his players, the better they will get. This Rangers team showed a bit of character today. It's all positive at the moment, they just need to keep this momentum going.
Ex-Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands on BBC Scotland
If you keep playing that way with those type of players you are going to get caught out. They have not been good enough over the last two legs.
Rangers don't really have time. The style of play right now seems like it's not really working. That needs to be tidied up before the next round."
Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson on BBC Sportsound
Yes, they were lucky at times, but I liked the mentality of the players. Can it be better? Of course it can.
I was a little worried before the game and we really saw the seasons why, because Rangers were cut open so many times. They need a few more in the building if they are going to progress further.
Talks between Besiktas and Rangers about 24-year-old Ibrox left-back Ridvan Yilmaz were put on hold while the Turkish side prepared to face Shakhtar Donetsk in Europa League qualifying, but the parties will resume negotiations after Thursday's game. (Efecan Öztaş on X), external
Rangers target Oliver Antman, the 23-year-old Go Ahead Eagles winger who has also caught the attention of Sheffield United, says he is ready for a new challenge and would like to play in the Champions League and in a top-five league, "but there are also great clubs in other countries". (Voetbal International via Glasgow Times), external
Wrexham are among the front runners to sign 32-year-old Rangers-linked centre-half Conor Coady from Leicester City. (Daily Mail), external
Basel have agreed a deal to sign Andrej Bacanin for a £2m fee plus £600,000 add-ons from Cukaricki, who previously reported interest from Celtic and Rangers in the 18-year-old midfielder. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external
Ianis Hagi's agent says the 26-year-old former Rangers midfielder is willing to sign for Legia Warsaw, but only if the Polish club pay a £1m signing-on fee and a salary of £600,000 a year - around £11,500 per week. (The Herald), external
Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSRangers defender John Soutter told BBC Scotland: "It was boiling out there, really difficult.
"They had to come out of the traps flying, we weathered the storm in the first half. We could have been better on the ball, but it's a new team and that's a big win for us.
"That's how you build a team, coming through those tough moments. It shows our mentality. There are going to be times things don't go our way.
"We've got [Jack Butland] to thank because he was excellent again. [Djeidi Gassama] came up with a massive moment for us again and it's about building momentum now.
"It's a big, big test to have this game so early in the season. It's important we follow it up at the weekend (away to Motherwell on Saturday)."
Russell Martin 'so proud' of 'incredible' Rangers team
Rangers head coach Russell Martin told BBC Scotland: "I've just said to the players in the dressing room, I'm so proud of them.
"To be five weeks into the process, from where they were to where they are is incredible.
"It's never easy away from home. A really difficult place to come. They really dug in and that's going to be important for us.
"Big John [Souttar] and Nasser [Djiga] were fantastic. Jack Butland's been brilliant over the two games; we need to rely on him less.
"We spoke about the importance of the subs before the game and they did great.
"It's no mean feat. We've qualified for the Europa League and now we can really attack the Champions League.
"We will get better. The group will grow so much from this."
Did you make the trip to Athens or follow the match from home?
Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say on Rangers' second-leg display at Panathinaikos here.
