Rangers bounced back from their dreadful defeat against Kilmarnock and secured an emphatic 4-0 victory over FCSB in their midweek UEFA Europa League encounter. However, they need to improve their Premiership form and the gaffer Philippe Clement should expect a spirited show from his men against St Mirren at Ibrox.
Three successive defeats have pushed the Buddies to the wrong end of the league standings. Kevin van Veen has failed to fire in while spearheading the attack and the wastefulness high up the pitch has refrained them from replicating last season’s results. The Gers, therefore, must overcome the shambles of last weekend and aim for an emphatic win on Sunday afternoon to avoid further misery in the title race.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup To Face St Mirren
Defence
Apart from a lucky escape early into the game, Jack Butland showed his command between the sticks against the Romanian outfit on Thursday night. He should aim for another clean sheet having conceded only five times in 8 Premiership outings.
Robin Propper could return to the starting XI replacing Leon Balogun in the heart of the backline. A knock against Killie forced the Dutchman to leave the pitch in the second half, but he returned to action against FCSB as the substitute for the veteran Nigerian. He, alongside John Souttar, should maintain composure and compactness in deep defence. Also, the fullback pair James Tavernier and Jefte must exhibit creativity down the flanks with timely overlapping runs, passes into the final third and pinpoint crosses.
Midfield
Connor Barron has cemented a regular role deep down the midfield and the Belgian chief has rotated his midfield partner given the options he has in Mohamed Diomande, Nicolas Raskin, Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling. With Sterling and Dowell having fitness issues, Diomande could be restored after Raskin’s 90 minutes in the midweek tie.
Rangers do not have ample alternatives for the ‘number 10’ role. Ianis Hagi remains suspended after receiving a marching order against St Johnstone. Also, Tom Lawrence was forced to leave the pitch at half-time due to a knock to his calf. Clement could shift Nedim Bajrami down the middle allowing Ross McCausland to operate from the left amid injuries to Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo. But the right flank belongs to Vaclav Cerny after back-to-back Ibrox braces against St Johnstone and Steaua București.
Attack
Cyriel Dessers, who wanted to continue, went straight down the tunnel after being taken off for Hamza Igamane before the hour mark. The Moroccan found the net to make it 4-0 and is now expected to grab a rare start ahead of the Super Eagles star in the forthcoming fixture.
