Rangers travel to Hamilton on Friday night as they look to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Celtic. That loss has left Rangers in 5th place in the SPL, eight points behind league leaders Celtic.
It also raised the question as the weather Rangers can actually challenge for the title this year as they have already lost twice this season and have some catching up to do in the table.
But they will want to silence these critics as soon as possible and a win away to Hamilton is certainly a step in the right direction.
A win for Rangers could see them move as high as 3rd. Here is how they might line up.
Formation: 4-3-3
Rangers used this system in their last game at Celtic. Granted, it did not work too well them. However, Celtic are a class above most other teams in the SPL. So, when Rangers play 8th placed Hamilton, an attacking formation is exactly what they need.
Hamilton have conceded 13 goals in seven league games already this season which shows they are vulnerable at the back. Therefore a 4-3-3 is the perfect attacking system to get at the Hamilton defence and cause them some problems.
GK: Wes Foderingham
Foderingham has played every league game for Rangers this season meaning he is likely to get the nod on Friday as well. However, he has kept just one clean sheet this season. A very poor record and something he will hope to change this Friday.
RB: James Tavernier
Tavernier is another who has played every SPL game this season. However, unlike Foderingham, Tavernier has performed much better.
He is a solid fullback going forward and so far this season he has scored one and assisted two for Rangers in the league. An impressive record for a right back which shows he is quality going forward. He should cause a poor Hamilton defence some problems if he starts tomorrow.
CB: Fabio Cardoso
Cardoso will be hoping for a much better performance than in his last match vs Celtic. He was partly responsible for Celtic scoring their first as he was one of the defenders that failed to clear the ball which Rogic then smashed in.
He too has started every game for Rangers in the league and if he wants to keep his place, he needs to start improving.
CB: Bruno Alves
Alves missed the derby last week through injury. However, he could still make Friday’s trip to Hamilton. The Rangers boss has told reporters that Alves will be assessed prior to the clash and is hopeful of him playing.
This would be a huge boost for Rangers as it was Ross McCrorie who stepped in for Alves against Celtic. And the young defender didn’t exactly have the best of games as he too was largely responsible for Celtic’s first goal.
LB: Declan John
John like Alves missed the Celtic game through injury. Just like Alves John should and is hopeful of being fit in time for the Hamilton clash.
This would be another big boost for Rangers as their main left back and captain Lee Wallace is definitely missing the game through injury.
CM: Ryan Jack
Jack has been an essential part of Rangers midfield this season. He has started every game for them in the league and has performed well for the most part.
Plus if Rangers are going to start with three in midfield, Jack will surely be one of them.
CM: Graham Dorrans
Dorrans like Jack has been a key centre mid for Rangers this season since his move in the summer. He has also played every league game.
Dorrans has also provided a good attacking threat for Rangers as he has scored three goals in seven SPL games from centre mid. This shows how key he is to Rangers as not only can he help out defensively. But also getting nearly a goal every other game from a CM is very impressive.
CM: Carlos Pena
Pena has been a somewhat controversial figure at Rangers since his arrival in the summer. His fitness was not good enough when he first arrived and he was put on a special training programme.
However, he does not seem to have made much progress in terms of fitness as he was subbed off after 53 minutes against Celtic. Because he could not keep up with the game.
Despite this Caixinha has defended Pena and says he did not criticise him after the Celtic game. So, even though many fans are not impressed by Pena’s lack of fitness, the Rangers boss is clearly a fan meaning he will likely start on Friday.
RW: Daniel Candeias
Candeias is another player who has played every league game this season. He has played either at right wing or right mid and is likely to be Ranger’s right winger against Hamilton.
Candeias has managed two assists for Rangers this season. But he has yet to score for them, something Rangers fans will be hoping he can change tomorrow.
ST: Alfredo Morelos
Morelos is surely one of the first names on Caixinha’s team sheet each week. The 21-year-old has scored an impressive six goals in seven SPL games this season already for Rangers and looks a real threat up front.
He is a danger to most teams and despite not scoring against Celtic he did nearly win Rangers a penalty. Rangers will be hoping he finds his goalscoring form again on Friday though.
LW: Josh Windass
Windass is naturally a CAM by nature. But this season he has been playing on the left for Rangers. He has played five games at left mid and two at left wing. So, he is very likely to start as Ranger’s left winger tomorrow.
Windass has scored and assisted one for Rangers in the league this season. However, Rangers may be hoping for a bit more from him if they want to title challenge.
This is how they might line up:
