High-flying Rangers have closed the gap with Hearts and Celtic, banking on an unbeaten league run since Danny Rohl’s appointment as the Ibrox chief. But a tricky test awaits him on Sunday afternoon, when the Premiership leaders Hearts will host the Light Blues at Tynecastle Park.
The Jambos grabbed a comprehensive win when these two sides clashed heads in the reverse fixture. A win could see Rangers climb up to second if Celtic suffer a fifth consecutive defeat under Wilfried Nancy; however, it won’t be a stroll in the park for them, considering Derek McInnes stupendous record against the Light Blues throughout his managerial tenure in Scottish football.
Predicted 3-4-3 Rangers Lineup To Face Hearts
Defence
Regardless of the turmoil under Russell Martin, Jack Butland has maintained his composure between the sticks since regaining the ‘number 1’ status. He grabbed back-to-back clean sheets with Kilmarnock and Hibernian, but he must deliver a stupendous performance against the likes of Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga to stretch the streak.
While Derek Cornelius and John Souttar remain sidelined with their respective injury problems, Nasser Djiga’s unavailability for the AFCON leaves the Gers with Emmanuel Fernandez as the only senior central defensive option. Despite being the fourth-choice early into the campaign, the Englishman has been a revelation ever since being promoted to the starting XI. He should operate centrally and form a three-man backline with fellow compatriots James Tavernier and Dujon Sterling. The latter marked his long-awaited injury return with an assist for Fernandez against Hibs, which sealed all three points in the previous gameweek. Forgotten Clinton Nsiala could be utilised from the bench if they require more legs in deep defence.
Midfield
Rangers are without Bailey Rice and Lyall Cameron due to injuries. But they have found stability since reintegrating Connor Barron deep down the midfield. The young Scot should feature as a deep-lying playmaker, and the German boss must restore Nicolas Raskin for his technicality, vision and the ability to script attacking transitions from the middle of the park. Max Aarons and Jayden Meghoma should feature from the flanks, being the only outright fullbacks available for selection. But they have Mohamed Diomande, Thelo Aasgaard, Joe Rothwell and Kieran Dowell, who could be introduced from the bench as central or attacking midfielders.
Attack
Nedim Bajrami and Oliver Antman are ruled out with their respective hamstring and leg injuries. But the gaffer should bring Djeidi Gassama back in the lineup, replacing Findlay Curtis down the left-hand flank. 18-year-old Mikey Moore, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, has made strides from the right, and the uncertainty over Bojan Miovski’s availability could see Youssef Chermiti grab another opportunity to impress, having failed to do so since completing a big-money summer move from Everton. Versatile Danilo might be deployed across the frontline as a second-half substitute.
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