The fourth and fifth placed teams will lock horns on Wednesday night in the Premiership when Rangers take on St. Johnstone. The Gers are sitting fifth in the table right now with 15 points from nine games whereas the Saints are sitting just above them with two more points but have played one more game. Both sides have a chance to improve their League position if they manage to win the game following Aberdeen’s loss to Hamilton Academical yesterday night.
Rangers are on the back of a 1-0 loss against Celtic from Sunday in the semis of the League Cup and have struggled for form as well as consistency this season. They have won three of their last six games in all competitions. St. Johnstone’s form is also on the same note.
The Saints are a strong side defensively and Rangers might find it hard to break down their defence. Rangers boast a solid record against St. Johnstone winning seven of their last ten meetings but the Saints are in great shape at the moment. Tommy Wright’s boys do have what it takes to upset the odds and we can expect a cracker of a game.
Team news
Rangers
Former Liverpool players Danny Wilson and Jordan Rossiter are both out. Rossiter was expected to make a comeback against Celtic on Sunday but he is still working on his fitness. Wilson, on the other hand, is progressing well after tearing a thigh muscle but is not yet ready to return. Niko Kranjcar will miss through an injury while Joey Barton still serves a club suspension.
St. Johnstone
Tam Scobbie is close to a comeback but is unlikely to feature at Ibrox tonight. Fellow defenders Keith Watson (thigh) and Ally Gilchrist (groin) are making good progress but remain sidelined.
Predicted lineups
Rangers (4-3-3): Foderingham; Tavernier, Hill, Kiernan, Wallace; Holt, Halliday, Windass; Garner, Waghorn, Forrester
St. Johnstone (4-4-2): Clark; Foster, Anderson, Shaughnessy, Easton; Swanson, Craig, Davidson, Wotherspoon; Kane, MacLean
Key players
Rangers: Andy Halliday
The 25-year-old has done a brilliant job this season for Rangers at the base of the midfield trio. The young midfielder shows a great hunger, tenacity, work rate and willingness on the pitch and contributes at either end of the pitch.
St. Johnstone: Danny Swanson
The 29-year-old attacking midfielder has been the standout player for the Saints this season. He has scored four and assisted four this season from nine games and can cause trouble to the Rangers’ backline.
Odds
Rangers win @5/8
Draw @57/17
St. Johnstone win @5/1
