Rangers travel north to Perth this evening as they began their Scottish Cup defence against St Johnstone.

The Ibrox club will be keen to avoid another upset as they experienced back in November under former boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst when the Saints ran out 2-1 winners.

Michael Beale remains unbeaten since taking over from the Dutchman and will be keen to avoid a potential banana skin at McDiarmid Park.

But just what will the starting line-up look like? Our writers predict their Rangers XIs.

Derek Clark

It’s likely we will see a few alterations from the midweek win over Kilmarnock. Michael Beale has said as much, as early as Wednesday night when he told us we should expect Allan McGregor back in goal.

Ahead of him, the back four will remain the same but the midfield is likely to look different to the one that prevailed at Rugby Park. Ryan Jack should return at the base of midfield with John Lundstram the most likely to partner him.

Scott Arfield struggled to show why he should be starting and not coming off the bench so he is likely to make way. Malik Tillman will undoubtedly return given we are back playing on a grass surface with the front three remaining the same given they are building an understanding and, more importantly, scoring goals.

Predicted XI: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Jack, Lundstram, Tillman, Sakala, Kent, Morelos.

Rangers Review:  (Image: NQ)

Joshua Barrie

The positive news for Michael Beale is that despite Kemar Roofe’s absence, Antonio Colak will be fit to make the bench today. That affords the manager a goalscoring option from the bench which proved particularly useful in Rangers’ most recent cup encounter.

Allan McGregor will return in goals ahead of a settled back four. Despite conceding two away at Kilmarnock it’s important to build consistency in the back four, even if Rangers have looked weak down the left side in recent matches.

Expect Ryan Jack to resume his place in midfield alongside Glen Kamara, with Malik Tillman completing the trio.

The front three should also take on familiar form. Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Fashion Sakala have been the best functioning part of this team since the New Year and given no midweek fixture follows after today’s encounter, it makes sense to keep the team selection consistent.

Predicted XI: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Jack, Kamara, Tillman, Sakala, Morelos, Kent