Gio van Bronckhorst will ring Rangers changes against St Mirren to spare 'really tired' stars

Rangers boss Gio van Bronckhorst admits he’ll have to ring the changes to his knackered line-up at St Mirren on Sunday to keep his top stars fresh for next week’s do or die Braga clash.

The Ibrox outfit are already facing an uphill struggle to reach the Europa League’s last four after falling to an Abel Ruiz strike at the Estadio Municipal on Thursday night.

Now the Gers gaffer has confessed his team are feeling the effects of a sapping Europa League evening.

This weekend’s trip to Paisley will be Rangers’ 54th game of a gruelling season.

With their league hopes all but over, Gers’ Euro ambitions have now taken on even greater importance and van Bronckhorst confessed he will have to hold back some of his key men against Saints to ensure they’re ready for the rematch with Carlos Carvalhal’s men.

He said: “We don’t have any major concerns for Sunday. Of course, we have players who gave everything and are really tired.

“Some players are playing a lot of games in the last week and months.

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“So obviously these games in Europe will take a lot out of the body, energy-wise and physically-wise. But we have to prepare for Sunday now.

“Of course squad depth is important. We also made some changes yesterday.