Aaron Ramsey won't start for Rangers against Red Star Belgrade

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has confirmed Aaron Ramsey will not start Rangers' Europa League last-16 tie against Red Star Belgrade at Ibrox on Thursday night.

The 31-year-old midfielder has struggled for fitness since arriving on loan from Juventus in the January transfer window.

Ramsey returned to the squad for the cinch Premiership game against Aberdeen at the weekend after missing four matches but was an unused substitute in the 1-0 win and will start on the bench again in the first leg against Red Star.

"Aaron will be in the squad, he will not be starting," said boss Van Bronckhorst, who revealed midfielder Steven Davis, who has not featured since February 12, would miss out again.

"With Aaron, it is the same as every player in my squad, you want every player to be available and be able to play, but you have to also monitor the conditions of the players.

"We are doing that for Aaron, for Steven, for Ianis (Hagi) the same, they cannot play, that will always happen in the season."

Van Bronckhorst continued: "For us, the most important thing is to make sure we have the individual programmes for each player to come back, first to game fitness and that's what we are doing now.

"I am happy that Aaron is back in the squad and we are working hard to get Steven back in the squad as well and for Ianis we know it is going to take longer, but we know we will always have players in your squad who need attention."

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