Glasgow Rangers are currently third in the Scottish Premiership table with 14 points from eight matches. They are already six points behind league leaders Celtic and will have to play catch up. While it was always going to be difficult to challenge the Hoops at the top, Rangers have been impressive so far given the influx of new players at the club in the summer transfer window.
Pedro Caixinha’s men return to action after the international break against St. Johnstone, a team placed directly below them. Although both teams are level on points, Rangers have a superior goal difference. They will hope to win the weekend fixture and put some distance between them and the teams below. Both Celtic and Aberdeen are tied at 20 points apiece and if the Bluenoses are serious about being title contenders it will be a must-win match for them.
The infamous fallout between Rangers club captain Kenny Miller and dynamic coach Pedro Caixinha left the club in an awkward position. As the drama of the story intensified, with rumours of Miller being accused as the team mole; Caixinha left the fan favourite out of the match-day squad for their 4-1 victory against Hamilton.
However things appeared to have calmed down after Miller, who was demoted to the under-20 squad for the trip to Brentford, was named in the team sheet for the club’s behind the door friendly against Jim Duffy’s side Morton in Murray Park.
Although recalled, he may find it difficult to break into the first team and will surely not be in the starting XI even if he does make the bench. Similar predictions can be made for Niko Kranjcar who will be in contention as well but will probably not make the starting line up yet, although for completely different reasons from that of Kenny Miller. They will also be missing summer signing Ryan Jack through suspension after being sent off against Hamilton Academical last time out.
Here is how Rangers will look to line-up with 4-4-2
Defence
Wes Foderingham is expected to be the man in goal for the Bluenoses. Their central defence is likely to be bolstered with the return of Danny Wilson who will be partnered by Fabio Cardoso.
We took a poll on twitter regarding who should partner Cardoso in defence and the majority agreed with us that it should be Danny Wilson.
So #RangersFC fans who would you rather see play with Cardoso tomorrow night?
— The 4th Official (@Official_T4O) October 12, 2017
Operating in the left back position would be Declan John with the right back spot likely to go to James Tavernier.
Midfield
In the absence of suspended Ryan Jack, Jason Holt is likely to take his place at the centre of the midfield position alongside Graham Dorrans. The right winger is expected to be Portuguese Daniel Candeias while Josh Windass is expected to operate on the left flank.
Forward
Kenny Miller is likely to gain his place on the bench with Carlos Pena and Alfredo Morelos expected to be the two hitman upfront like last time out when they routed Hamilton Academical 4-1.
This is how they might line up:
