Rangers are back at the Ibrox after drawing against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup. They are set to face St. Johnstone in a league encounter this weekend. The Saints are coming into this game on the back of a massive loss against Celtic when they were completely dismantled with a 5-0 scoreline. Rangers would also look for a similar result to keep the pressure on the Hoops in the title race.
Team News: Alfredo Morelos is set to serve his suspension for receiving a red card against Aberdeen. Gerrard indicated recently about who might replace him. He was quoted as saying (Belfast Telegraph), ”They are two different types of players(Morelos and Defoe). They are obviously both very strong in front of goal, but they are very different, so we have to adapt to whoever it is that’s leading the line. We also have Kyle (Lafferty) in the running as well. We might decide to go down a different way.”
Graham Dorrans, Eros Grezda and Jamie Murphy are going to unavailable due to injury. Allan McGregor is also suspended for two games for his violent conduct on Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson.
Rangers Predicted Lineup Vs St. Johnstone
Formation (4-3-3)
Defence
Wes Foderingham should start in goal in the absence of Allan McGregor. Connor Goldson has recovered from his ankle injury, and the former Brighton player is set to start in the heart of the defence. Joe Worrall is expected to partner him at the back.
Andy Halliday started the last game at left back, and one can understand why Gerrard is using Borna Barisic conservatively given his injury track record. We expect the Croatian to be back for this encounter though. James Tavernier is set to lineup as a right back once again.
Midfield
Ross McCrorie has established himself in Gerrard’s setup, and he is likely to start in the deepest role in midfield. The 20-year-old was the best player on the pitch for Rangers when they faced Kilmarnock as he covered every blade of grass and pressed and harassed the opposition players quite effectively.
Steven Davis could be given the go-ahead in midfield instead of Ryan Jack. Scott Arfield is likely to complete the midfield three for the Bears.
Attack
Ryan Kent should start from the left flank once again. Daniel Candeias is expected to operate from the right. We are going in with Kyle Lafferty up top instead of Jermain Defoe. The Englishman has struggled a bit when he has played alone up front and having Lafferty adds a different dimension to the team given his physical presence. The crosses of Candeias and Tavernier will become more threatening with Lafferty in the box.
