A high-spirited Rangers side who are back from a draw against league leaders, Celtic, at the Celtic Park last weekend are due to host second from the bottom-placed outfit in the Ladbrokes Premiership, Hamilton Academical, at the Ibrox Stadium on Saturday. Interestingly, it would be the first game as the manager for the newly appointed gaffer in the shape of Pedro Caixinha who has been appointed by the Gers after the termination of the club’s association with Mark Warburton.
The Light Blues have registered a pretty good record against Hamilton, having won two out of the three meetings so far this season, including the 6-0 thumping win and drawing one. Nico Kranjcar is still out with a cruciate ligament rupture and so is Jordan Rossiter with a calf injury. Nonetheless, Caixinha still has plenty of options to choose from and here is our Rangers’ predicted line-up to face Martin Canning’s troops.
Defence
Wes Foderingham had an impressive game against Brendan Rodgers’ men last weekend and is expected to be handed the gloves and stationed between the sticks against Hamilton, for he has saved the blushes of his side on innumerable occasions. A clean sheet is expected from the 26-year-old goalie against the Accies.
James Tavernier is expected to get a nod for his conventional right-back role after having played from the right-hand side of the midfield last weekend. On the left side of their defence should be Lee Wallace whose industry down the flank has been sublime so far this campaign. In the central defensive position, we expect the duo of Clint Hill and Danny Wilson to start the proceedings.
Midfield
Andy Halliday is anticipated to start from the holding midfield role to not only cushion the defensive wall but to also create a platform for the attacking endeavours of the Gers. Jason Holt and Emerson Hyndman should be getting another start this weekend after impressing well as a package against the Hoops and that would form a three-man midfield setup.
Attack
Rangers would have to put the visitors on the back foot very early into the game and to provide creativity and flamboyance on the left wing, Barry McKay should be handed yet another start. On the other side, Martyn Waghorn should continue taking his position in the starting line-up. Leading the line should be Joe Garner who banged in a hat-trick against Hamilton earlier this month and would aspire to do something similar this time around as well.
Predicted Line-Up:
