Our writers mull over Rangers' potential starting XI to face Livingston at Ibrox as the Scottish Premiership league campaign kicks off.

Jonathan McFarlane

Steven Gerrard has options all over the pitch but I wouldn't expect him to stray too far from the line-up which put Real Madrid to the sword last weekend.

I predict the same starting XI with one change - Glen Kamara returning in place of Ianis Hagi who will drop to the bench.

Kamara's blend of physicality and grace is perfect against a team that will look to fight for every second ball.

While there may be the temptation to reward Cedric Itten for a fine pre-season, I suspect Livingston's backline would prefer a trench battle with the Swiss than have to deal with the ever-rotating, electric paced trio that caused the Spanish giants so many headaches.

Fashion Sakala made an instant impression on his first start and he will want to show what he's all about as Alfredo Morelos gets back to fitness after his post-Copa America break.

Predicted line-up: McGregor, Barisic, Tavernier, Helander, Goldson, Kamara, Davis, Lundstram, Kent, Wright, Sakala

Derek Clark

Rangers go into Saturday’s league opener against Livingston with an array of options to choose from. 

Several players have impressed during the pre-season campaign, most notably Cedric Itten and I reckon he may have played his way into Steven Gerrard’s starting XI. 

With Alfredo Morelos not featuring in pre-season, due to his involvement with Colombia in the Copa America, he isn't available. 

Also, with Kemar Roofe missing lately, it’s between Itten and Fashion Sakala as to who will lead the line. 

I’m backing the big Swiss to get the nod and he deserves his starting slot on merit, with Sakala coming off the bench at some point. 

Elsewhere, the back five picks itself, with Joe Aribo back in training the manager has a call to make whether he returns after missing the Brighton and Real Madrid contests, I fancy he’ll start on the bench as will Ianis Hagi with Glen Kamara slotting in beside John Lundstram and Steven Davis. 

Scott Wright is another who has looked impressive at times during pre-season and I’m backing him to start as part of the front three. 

Rangers Review:

Predicted line-up: McGregor, Tavernier, Barisic, Goldson, Helander, Davis, Kamara, Lundstram, Kent, Wright, Itten 

READ MORE: The Preview: Rangers opening day opponents Livingston analysed

Joshua Barrie

The back four is probably the easiest area of the field to predict. Fil Helander may have missed a good chunk of pre-season due to international duty, but looked excellent in his 45 minute outing against Real Madrid.

From pre-season it seems fair to predict that when available, Gerrard will choose to play a left-footed player as left-sided centre-back.

Further up the pitch, I’d expect Gerrard to field Ianis Hagi ahead of Glen Kamara and Steven Davis.

Increasingly, we have seen a move away from a midfield three in these type of domestic matches. With Joe Aribo or Hagi often tasked with playing ahead of the double-pivot of Kamara and Davis.

 I don’t see this match being any different. Livi are likely to spend plenty of the game deep in their own half, so the more creativity the hosts have from deep the better.

And so to the front three. Arguably the hardest area to call ahead of tomorrow.

I don’t think Fashion Sakala will start ahead of Cedric Itten. The latter has done his time in the wings and has to be considered first-choice at some stage. Given Kemar Roofe missed last weekend’s friendlies, I would predict Scott Wright and Ryan Kent to start alongside the Swiss forward.

Saying that, I wouldn’t be overly surprised if Sakala was also included in the front three alongside Itten, to start two finishers in the front line.

Rangers Review:

Predicted line-up: McGregor, Tavernier, Barisic, Goldson, Helander, Kamara, Davis, Hagi, Wright, Itten, Kent.