Michael Stewart reckons Barry Ferguson might have to make some risky calls with his Rangers team selection at the back against Fenerbahce on Thursday if he wants to have any chance of landing the job at Ibrox beyond the summer.

With the likes of Leon Balogun, John Souttar and Dujon Sterling only just returning to training from injury lay-offs, the Gers have been operating with a makeshift back line in recent months. After youngster Clinton Nsiala was brutally hooked after half an hour in last week's stunning 4-2 comeback win against Kilmarnock, skipper James Tavernier was moved from his natural role at right back into centre half alongside Robin Propper, with left-footed Ridvan Yilmaz then filling the void left by the captain.

The duo then started together in the heart of the defence in Saturday's clash with Motherwell at Ibrox as interim boss Ferguson's side fell to a dismal 2-1 defeat that has left them trailing Premiership leaders Celtic by 16 points. The Europa League represents Rangers' last chance of lifting some silverware this season and Stewart believes Ferguson may have to gamble and throw some of his more experienced names into defence in Istanbul, despite their lack of match sharpness.

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Speaking on the Premier Sports Scottish Football Social Club, he said: "This is a monumental team selection he (Ferguson) has got because any potential managerial career that Barry Ferguson is wanting hinges on what happens over these next few months and this game, there is NO bigger game. It's the season for (Rangers) so it's a tough decision to make.

"Barry Ferguson has got monumental decisions to make, with this defence in particular. If he picks some of these guys who are not 100 per cent fit, he needs a bit of luck for them to get through the game.

"I would tend to probably go with that but my fear for Barry Ferguson would be, if he does that just imagine one or two of them go down inside the first half an hour. These are all the things you have got to weigh up and that's why for me, I would be going with the better players and defenders and run the risk that they might break down."

Ex Ibrox full back Alan Hutton was much more cautious about putting the likes of Sterling and Balogun straight back into action in a game of Thursday's magnitude if they are not at their maximum fitness. "If Balogun is fit he has to play", he added. "I know Souttar was back in training but I am not sure if he would be ready or not but if he is, he plays.

"The only thing with him (Sterling starting) is that you can't switch it on like a light. He's been out for a number of weeks so I think to throw him into a situation like away to Fenerbahce would be a huge ask. If he was 100 per cent fit and had been training but (at 60-70 per cent) I just think it's a big risk."