Spartak Moscow's Brazilian forward Luiz Adriano makes his first appearance in the group stage as he returns from a three-match ban for striking an opponent in the Champions League qualifying play-off loss to Greek side PAOK.

The 31-year-old was a goal-machine for Shakhtar Donetsk but struggled to make an impact at AC Milan before his move to Moscow in the summer of 2017.

He scored his first goal of the season in the weekend defeat to Ural.

Sofiane Hanni, who was lively as a second-half sub at Ibrox, also starts.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland in Moscow

Rangers have emerged for their pre-match preparations. It’s a less-than-balmy three degrees in Moscow. But it’s a still evening and the pitch looks in good condition, so both sides should be able to get the ball down and provide a decent game of football. Although Steven Gerrard would surely settle for a poor game as long as it yields a point or three.

Image source, BBC Sport

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard hopes to take advantage of the turbulence at Spartak.

"We can only hope that the atmosphere is the same in the stadium because that would mean we are playing well and we're doing our job," he said at yesterday's media conference when asked about the current anger among home fans.

"But in all honesty the most important thing for me is what my players do and that we carry out the game plan that's given to the players and we come here and really embrace it and express ourselves.

"We don't want to play in a shell like we did in the first 45 minutes at Villarreal. We want to really start strong and really show Spartak and all their supporters our intent, and that's to come here and do everything we can to get a good result."

Image source, SNS

Spartak were a team in crisis as they arrived for their goalless draw at Ibrox last month, having just sacked manager Massimo Carrera.

Since then things have gone from bad to worse, with a fourth consecutive home league defeat on Sunday, to lowly Ural, leaving them 12 points behind leaders Zenit St Petersburg.

Caretaker manager Raul Riancho has accused a section of disgruntled supporters of wanting the "complete destruction" of the club, saying that the hostile atmosphere risks breaking the careers of his younger players.

Salzburg look to be running away with it but home wins for Celtic and Rosenborg would blow the section wide open.

Rangers top the section courtesy of their two away goals in the opening day draw with Villarreal.

But I don't need to tell you about Uefa Article 16.01, Criteria D, do I?

And what about Celtic in Leipzig?

With both sides far from full strength, Celtic equipped themselves well for the first half hour but two defensive lapses were to prove costly before the interval, with Matheus Cunha and Bruma the men on target.

Celtic could not muster a shot on target until Olivier Ntcham hit one straight at the keeper on 85 minutes.

Image source, SNS

A quick reminder of the last game at Ibrox...

Steven Gerrard's side dominated possession against the Russians but failed to score for the first time in 11 games at home this season.

In a game of few clear chances, the best opportunity fell to Eros Grezda in stoppage time, with the substitute shooting over the top.

Spartak were a bit more adventurous in the second half but didn't test goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Image source, SNS

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland in Moscow

Around 700 Rangers fans are in Moscow to watch their team take on Spartak and they’ve begun to gather in the Otkritie Arena with just under an hour till kick off. Rangers haven’t lost in their five away games in Europe this season and if they can make that six tonight, they’ll be well placed to qualify.

Image source, BBC Sport

Rangers XI: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Katic, Flanagan, Ejaria, Coulibaly, Arfield, Candeias, Middleton, Morelos.

Ryan Kent misses out with a hamstring injury sustained in Saturday's 2-0 win at St Mirren, while Eros Grezda, Joe Worrall, Andy Halliday and Ryan Jack drop to the bench.

Manager Steven Gerrard brings in Daniel Candeias and teenager Glenn Middleton to play wide, Jon Flanagan and Nikola Katic are chosen in defence and Lassana Coulibaly anchors the midfield.

Image source, BBC Sport

We're about to edge past the halfway mark in the Europa League group phase and the stakes are high for Celtic.

The Scottish champions, with two defeats from three outings, really need a win at home to RB Leipzig. Anything less and it could be all over with two games to spare.

First up, we have Rangers who are in a more comfortable position as they travel to Spartak Moscow. Steven Gerrard's side have set a new club record of 11 games unbeaten in Europe but they can't afford to relax in a tight section against a team who will view this as a must-win.

Spartak left Ibrox with a goalless draw last time out, while Celtic fell 2-0 in Leipzig.

Stay with us as all of the action unfolds.