Rangers have bounced back from the League Cup heartbreak with back-to-back Premiership wins against Kilmarnock and Hibernian. But they are still nine points behind leaders Celtic which leaves them with little possibility of reclaiming the league crown. The Scottish Cup remains the only realistic title hope for Michael Beale’s men and the Gers, therefore, must focus on the weekend’s quarter-final clash versus Raith Rovers at Ibrox.
The Rovers have punched above their weight in the Scottish Cup as they stunned Motherwell in the previous round. But they have a mountain to climb on Sunday afternoon, given their current status at the wrong end of the Championship standings.
Predicted 4-3-1-2 Rangers Lineup To Face Raith Rovers
Defence
Neither Allan McGregor nor Jon McLaughlin has done enough to cement his place between the sticks. Rangers have a genuine crisis in goal, yet the gaffer should rely on McGregor rather than rotating his options across competitions.
Skipper James Tavernier remains an influence down the right with his marauding runs, crosses, cut-insides and attacking excellence. Connor Goldson and Ben Davies have formed a stable partnership in deep defence; also, Borna Barisic has retained his left fullback role amid the fitness woes of Ridvan Yilmaz. The Turkish youngster, as well as John Souttar, have returned from long-term injury problems, but the manager should not rush them into the starting XI to avoid further setbacks.
Midfield
Despite sticking to 4-2-3-1 since replacing Giovanni van Bronckhorst as the Ibrox chief, Beale has recently tweaked the formation in the centre of the pitch. Injuries to Malik Tillman, Tom Lawrence, Steven Davis and Alex Lowry might have forced him to make alterations, but the current set-up offers more fluidity in transitions.
Ryan Jack is expected to feature as a ‘number 6’, and the other midfield stars Nicolas Raskin and John Lundstram should start from the wide to offer flexibility in the middle of the park. Ryan Kent, ever-present down the left, must exhibit his adaptability to shine as a ‘number 10’. Scott Wright, Glen Kamara, Scott Arfield, Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi could be involved as second-half substitutes.
Attack
Fashion Sakala is in red-hot form and the Zambian must keep his place high up the pitch. Antonio Colak is back in business with a brace against Hibernian and the manager might undergo a selection dilemma before the Rovers game. Yet he should restore Alfredo Morelos to manage the gametime of all his attackers.
