Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side will be looking to continue their positive start to the Premiership season when they welcome St.Mirren to the Ibrox Stadium for what is going to be their first home game of the 2020/21 league season. The Gers are currently sitting in third place by virtue of goal difference, and a convincing enough victory could see them climb as high as into first place this weekend. Despite getting the league campaign off to the right start last weekend, the Gers weren’t able to back that up with a European win in midweek.
Having beaten 10-man Aberdeen by a narrow 1-0 scoreline in this season’s opening fixture, Gerrard’s next challenge came in the form of the Europa League second leg tie against Bundesliga heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen. Having lost 3-1 in the home leg at the Ibrox prior to the suspension of football, not much was expected to come out of this tie. The German side completely dominated proceedings right from the off and limited the Scottish team to a minimal number of real goalscoring opportunities.
Team News
The Gers’ only injury concern at this point is that of Jermain Defoe, with the veteran striker not expected to play any part in proceedings for the remainder of August. As for the new acquisitions, both Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe are likely to be available for selection for this encounter. Which of them Gerrard prefers to start on the weekend remains to be seen, but they’re both sure to have an important part to play for the rest of the league season.
Here Is The Predicted 4-3-3 Rangers Lineup Vs St.Mirren:
Predicted 4-3-3 Rangers Lineup Vs St.Mirren
Defence
Allan McGregor has started both of the Ibrox club’s games so far, and the veteran stopper is expected to retain his place in between the sticks for the remainder of the season as well. In front of him, expect to see Connor Goldson continuing in the heart of the defence, with his midweek teammate, Filip Helander, expected to drop down to the bench. The second centre-half position should instead be filled by summer signing Leon Balogun, who put in an inspired display at the back last weekend. Borna Barisic and James Tavernier are expected to continue in the full-back roles as well.
Midfield
Another one of the changes that Steven Gerrard made for the midweek game saw Glen Kamara dropped down to the bench to be replaced by the more experienced head of Steven Davis. The veteran midfielder had struggled to impact the fixture against Leverkusen in any manner whatsoever, and that should be enough to see Kamara making his return to the eleven. Alongside him, Ryan Jack is set to continue as the primary midfield anchor, responsible for acting as the link between defence and attack. Joe Aribo is undoubtedly going to start in the eleven, in the more advanced midfield role that he has been deployed in over the last many weeks.
Attack
The Gers’ front-line had been in full flow prior to the start of the season, but with all the questions marks surrounding the future of Alfredo Morelos, things have begun to grow slightly uncertain. One thing that’s for sure is that both Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi are expected to start the fixture on either flank, responsible for providing the striker with direct support. Despite the acquisition of Kemar Roofe as well, Cedric Itten is the striker who should start as the target man in the match against St.Mirren, owing to the fact that he is a lot more match-fit than his Jamaican teammate.
