Rangers will host Neil McCann’s Dundee side who have lost all of their first four games of the season. The Gers, on the other hand, have had a decent start to life under their new manager Steven Gerrard. However, their league form has been slightly worrying as they have won just once in their four games. Gerrard would hope that his side can get on track and challenge the likes of Celtic and Hearts who occupy the top two spots right now.
The Europa League qualifiers took a lot out of the Teddy Bears side so one shouldn’t be too critical of their league form. They also suffered two late equalisers against Motherwell and Aberdeen which denied them full three points. Gerrard would hope that they can keep it tight at the back throughout the game and a win would give his side the much-needed momentum to kickstart their league campaign.
Team News
Eros Grezda was sent back from international duty due to injury concerns, but he has started training with the Gers’ first team. However, we expect him to start on the bench for this encounter. Jordan Rossiter and Graham Dorrans were long-term absentees so far, but they are on the path towards full recovery. Jamie Murphy continues to be the significant miss for Gerrard. Kyle Lafferty suffered an injury during the international break, but he was part of the bench in the second game against Israel. Lassana Coulibaly also seems close to being back in contention.
Rangers Predicted Lineup vs Dundee
Formation (4-4-2)
Defence
Allan McGregor dethroned Celtic’s Craig Gordon for the number spot for Scotland and he impressed in the tie where the Scots ran out 2-0 winners against Albania. It goes to show what a brilliant signing this has been for Gerrard and McGregor would once again be expected to start in goal.
There is a chance that Gerrard might give a start to new signing Joe Worrall over Nikola Katic or Connor Goldson, but given the fact that this is almost a must-win game for the Gers, Gerrard might not experiment too much at the back. So the pairing of Goldson and Katic should start.
Borna Borisic impressed in the game against Portugal starting in the left-back role, and he would definitely start there at the Ibrox. Out on the right, club captain James Tavernier will fit in, to complete the strongest back four that the Gers can go in with at the moment.
Midfield
Ryan Jack and Ovie Ejaria should be the central partnership in midfield, and they would hope for a much better outing than they had against their Old Firm rivals last game. Coulibaly might feature from the bench later.
Daniel Candeias and Ryan Kent should start on either of the flanks. Both the wide men need to pick their game up as Eros Grezda is waiting in the wings (pardon the pun) to get a chance. The Albanian might still not be hundred per cent as otherwise this game would have been a good chance for him to feature from the start.
Attack
Kyle Lafferty is likely to be rested for this game as he suffered a slight injury scare while representing Northern Ireland. Gerrard cannot risk the 30-year-old for this game as Lafferty would be required against Villareal in the Europa League as Alfredo Morelos would miss out due to suspension. Therefore, Umar Sadiq could partner up with Morelos for this league encounter this weekend.
