Rangers line-up vs Motherwell predicted: Clement's Cortes replacement

Philippe Clement's men have the opportunity to move five points clear at the top of the Premiership table with Celtic facing Hearts on Sunday lunchtime.

With Oscar Cortes ruled out through injury, who will replace the Colombian and will there be any other personnel changes?

Our writers select their starting XIs for the game.

Derek Clark

It's fair to say the manager got his team selection slightly wrong against Kilmarnock but he rectified the situation at half time with the introduction of Ridvan Yilmaz and Cyriel Dessers.

Expect those two to start against the Steelmen and we should expect one or two more changes.

In midfield, Nico Raskin made a positive impact from the bench in midweek and perhaps this game is made for the Belgian to start with Tom Lawrence possibly making way given the manager's pre-match comments about balancing his playing minutes.

With Oscar Cortes injured, there is a vacancy on the left-hand side of the forward line. There are a number of potential candidates with Dujon Sterling, Ross McCausland and Scott Wright all capable of filling the void. However, Fabio Silva may just get the nod with Cyriel Dessers leading the line. The manager will have Kemar Roofe available from the bench so he has options in that department.

Sterling may start on the right of the forward three although it would be no surprise to see McCausland retain his place despite not being at his scintillating best on Wednesday.

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Ridvan, Lundstram, Raskin, Diomande, Sterling, Silva, Dessers.

READ MORE: Clement on Oscar Cortes injury, Ridvan Yilmaz the 'fighter' and VAR talks

Joshua Barrie

Clement has been fixated on solutions rather than dwelling on injury problems since arriving at Ibrox, and the Belgian has had more than his fair share to contend with. Oscar Cortes' muscle issue is the latest puzzle for Clement to solve.

Expect Ridvan Yilmaz's return to be the only change to Rangers' back five. Leon Balogun could have a chance of featuring given John Souttar will play away in Benfica on Thursday, however.

John Lundstram will start in midfield and could do so alongside Nico Raskin. The 22-year-old's football has been limited this year but with Clement looking to share the minutes, it makes sense to start his countryman. That could see Mohamed Diomande handed a rest with Fabio Silva playing at No.10, as we saw for the final 30 minutes against Hearts.

Ross McCausland seems the most likely to operate from the left-hand side while Dujon Sterling should continue on the right. Cyriel Dessers, a man in form at Ibrox, will continue at No.9.

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Ridvan, Lundstram, Raskin, Silva, McCausland, Sterling, Dessers.