Rangers return to Ibrox this evening as they host Stirling Albion in the Scottish Cup.
“There are no uncertainties for tomorrow so we will know their set-up, we will know their game plan, how they defend and attack set pieces,” Giovanni van Bronckhorst said of tonight’s part-time opponents.
The fixture opens up the possibility of seeing some youngsters take to the field, alongside squad members yet to heavily feature under the new manager. Our writers predict their starting XI’s ahead of the tie below.
Joshua Barrie
Heavy changes seem inevitable ahead of this tie; but supporters should expect a really strong team according to van Bronckhorst.
He said yesterday: “Of course, we respect our opponent, they’re a couple of levels below us but our intention will always be the same and I told the players as well to make sure we do the things we have to do.”
Expect to see a back four of James Tavernier, Leon King, Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey playing ahead of Jon McLaughlin.
John Lundstram will anchor the midfield, supported by Juninho Bacuna and Ianis Hagi at No.10.
The front three will likely consist of Fashion Sakala, Ryan Kent and Scott Wright. Cedric Itten could feature but given Kent misses next week's league tie through suspension, the winger will play to remain sharp.
Predicted line-up (4-3-3): McLaughlin, Tavernier, King, Balogun, Bassey, Lundstram, Bacuna, Hagi, Wright, Sakala, Kent
Derek Clark
Tonight’s match presents van Bronckhorst with the perfect opportunity to experiment and reward some of the academy starlets.
Expect a raft of changes starting in goal with McLaughlin likely to step in for Allan McGregor. Tavernier should retain his place given the departure of Nathan Patterson while Caassey may shift to left-back with the returning Balogun and King forming the centre-back pairing.
Lundstram will return to the starting XI alongside the lesser-spotted Bacuna and hopefully a debut for young Charlie McCann completes the midfield, although it’s more likely James Sands will make his Ibrox bow.
The forward line will be interesting, with Alfredo Morelos soon heading off on international duty, van Bronckhorst may test out his replacement frontman. Itten is the likely candidate with Sakala and Wright on either flank.
Predicted line-up (4-3-3): McLaughlin, Tavernier, Balogun, King, Bassey, Lundstram, Sands, Bacuna, Wright, Sakala, Itten
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