Rangers had to wait 12 years to return to Champions League. But they hit a new low in the competition by registering the worst record in the competition’s history. They lost all six group-stage games and ended the campaign with a goal difference of minus 20. Giovanni van Bronckhorst must turn it around this weekend against St Johnstone and buy some time amid talks of a potential dismissal from his Ibrox job.
While the Light Blues will battle it out for all three points at McDiarmid Park on Sunday lunchtime, the Saints must seek revenge for the 4-0 defeat they endured in the reverse fixture early into the campaign. Rangers, already in trouble with form and fitness reasons, would suffer more misery in the Premiership race if a win is not attained on the road.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup To Face St. Johnstone
Defence
40-year-old Allan McGregor is still the Gers’ ‘number 1’ ahead of compatriots Jon McLaughlin and Robby McCrorie. He saved them from further humiliation by making some crucial stops in a 3-1 defeat against Ajax and the Dutch boss would demand more from the veteran custodian given their frailty in the defensive third.
Senior centre-backs Connor Goldson, Filip Helander, John Souttar and Ben Davies are ruled out with their respective injury problems and Rangers, therefore, should be relying on James Sands and Leon King as the central defensive pairing. Skipper James Tavernier must exhibit his flair from the right with overlapping runs, crosses and set-piece attributes. Borna Barisic is set to operate as the left fullback with Ridvan Yilmaz unavailable through fitness woes.
Midfield
John Lundstram was not spotted in team training ahead of the Ajax tie as he was ineligible to face the Eredivisie champions due to suspension. He, however, is expected to return to the starting XI unless the absence was caused by a fresh injury blow. Fit-again Glen Kamara should form a double pivot alongside the Englishman after a cameo on Tuesday night. Scott Arfield and Steven Davis could get involved at some stage in the second half.
Rangers have ample wide attackers in their ranks, but the gaffer must stick with Fashion Sakala down the right ahead of Scott Wright and Rabbi Matondo. Despite his limitations, the Zambian has put in tremendous effort and work rate to regain a starting status. Ryan Kent, on the other hand, must justify his potential irrespective of his Ibrox future. Malik Tillman needs to be sharper and smarter as a ‘number 10’ amid the injury absence of Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence.
Attack
Alfredo Morelos was dreadful against Ajax and the manager must bank on Antonio Colak high up the pitch who is currently the league’s highest scorer (11) over Bojan Miovski, Lawrence Shankland and Kyogo Furuhashi (8 each).
