Rangers have closed the gap with Hearts in the three-horse Premiership race, but there is little margin of error for Danny Rohl’s men, with eight games remaining. They will host Aberdeen on Saturday evening following last weekend’s edgy win against St Mirren, and the gaffer would hope for a more convincing outcome, given the Dons’ struggles throughout the campaign.
These two sides have clashed heads twice so far this season, and the Light Blues clinched identical 2-0 triumphs, both home and away, back in January. However, there should be no complacency in the Rangers camp, as Aberdeen could witness a ‘new manager bounce’ in the wake of Stephen Robinson’s appointment as the new Pittodrie chief.
Predicted 4-2-2-2 Rangers Lineup To Face Aberdeen
Defence
Although his current deal runs out this summer, Jack Butland must maintain his composure and consistency between the sticks to earn an extension.
Despite the Old Firm catastrophe from the spot, Rohl reintegrated skipper James Tavernier in the starting XI ahead of Dujon Sterling down the right. The veteran Englishman must keep his place and exhibit his expertise with overlapping runs and set-pieces. Nasser Djiga has grabbed his opportunities of late and should retain his position in deep defence along with Manny Fernandez over John Souttar. Tuur Rommens has cemented his left-back role, having scored the solitary goal against the Buddies. Jayden Meghoma, who has lost his first-team status to the Belgian, could be introduced from the bench as a second-half substitute.
Midfield
The German boss has decided to stick with an aggressive 4-2-2-2 formation, with Tochi Chukwuani and Nicolas Raskin operating as the ‘double pivot’ deep down the midfield. A suspected shoulder dislocation could sideline Mohamed Diomande for weeks, but Connor Barron’s return must have boosted the Gers, with the young Scot involved last weekend as a ‘super sub’.
Djeidi Gassama replaced Andreas Skov Olsen on the right, and despite an underwhelming performance, the manager could rely on the Frenchman over the Wolfsburg loanee. Mikey Moore is flying with his flair, finesse and flexibility in and around the attacking third, and the on-loan Tottenham Hotspur teenager must operate from the left ahead of Nedim Bajrami, Oliver Antman or Thelo Aasgaard.
Attack
Rohl has been patient with Ryan Naderi, even though the German centre-forward has yet to attune to the aggression and physicality of Scottish football. Bojan Miovski does not fit in his system, thus finding a place among the substitutes behind Naderi and Youssef Chermiti once again.
