Glasgow Rangers can return to winning ways in this afternoon’s Premiership clash as St Mirren are the visitors to Ibrox.
The Light Blues will still be licking their wounds following the woeful defeat to Liverpool in the midweek Champions League clash which leaves them without a point or even a goal at the bottom of Group A.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst lined up with a slight tactical change against Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield on Tuesday, with the Dutchman deploying a back five to combat the Liverpool front three
Today will likely see a resumption of the tried-and-trusted 4-2-3-1 which has been seen a few times in the Premiership this season, and to great success in the 4-0 romp over Hearts last weekend.
Here is how we predict the starting XI will look like for Rangers at Ibrox this afternoon…
Rangers predicted XI
Allan McGregor, who was dubbed “outstanding” by Curtis Woodhouse following his midweek heroics which saw him pull off eight saves, retains his place in goal.
The team will likely switch back to four in defence, so Connor Goldson will surely start in the heart of the backline, with youngster Leon King beside him following a solid full Champions League debut against Liverpool which saw him win four tackles and five duels. Captain James Tavernier and Borna Barisic will take up their usual positions on the right and left of the defence respectively.
Ryan Jack could come back into the starting XI, joining John Lundstram in the Rangers engine room. Malik Tillman might drop to the bench against St Mirren, with The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell saying that the 20-year-old “couldn’t be bothered making an option” on Tuesday, and he could be replaced by Scott Arfield, who will likely operate in an attacking midfield role.
Rabbi Matondo will start on the right wing for the second Premiership match in a row, while Ryan Kent – said to be “misfiring” according to Derek Clark after scoring just once in 12 games so far this term – will drop to the bench and be replaced by the unpredictable Fashion Sakala on the left.
Alfredo Morelos was extremely poor against Liverpool, losing 91% of his duels, so Antonio Colak – scorer of 11 goals in 15 matches – must come back into the side to lead the line.
Although the midweek performance was very poor, it need to be forgotten ahead of today’s clash. Van Bronckhorst will be expecting nothing less than three points and a few goals into the bargain against St Mirren.
