After their 2-2 draw with Villarreal in the Europa League, Rangers return to domestic action once again on Sunday as they are due to host St Johnstone in their next Scottish Premiership fixture at the Ibrox Stadium.
Steven Gerrard’s troops bulldozed past Dundee as they registered a 4-0 win in their previous league fixture and it goes without saying that the Gers will be aiming to bag all three points once again this weekend against the Saints.
Rangers Team News
Jordan Rossiter is back in training after recovering from his ankle injury. Ryan Jack and Gareth McAuley are out with calf injuries. Jamie Murphy is also out of contention as he is sidelined for the rest of the season with his cruciate ligament damage.
PREDICTED RANGERS LINEUP TO FACE ST JOHNSTONE (4-1-4-1)
Defence
Allan McGregor is set to be stationed between the sticks once again by Gerrard. The 36-year-old has been decent under the bar for Rangers so far this season and will be striving to get a clean sheet.
Nikola Katic and Connor Goldson are likely to be used in the central defence once again. The two summer signings have fared well together and the new-found solidity is something which will help the team in the coming weeks.
James Tavernier’s industry has been exemplary and he will be keen to make his presence felt from the right-back slot once again. We expect Borna Barisic to start ahead of Flanagan who missed out in midweek through suspension.
Midfield
Andy Halliday might get the green light to start from Gerrard once again. The 26-year-old exhibited immense grit and perseverance as the central defensive midfielder against Dundee.
Lassana Coulibaly is one of the first names on the team sheet and the former Liverpool skipper has shown immense faith in the player. The physicality and combative style that he offers adds a whole new dimension to the approach play of the Light Blues.
We expect Scott Arfield to start alongside Coulibaly. Meanwhile, Daniel Candeias should find a place in the starting line-up on the right wing, with Ryan Kent likely to ply his trade from the opposite flank.
Attack
Kyle Lafferty should lead the line this weekend against Tommy Wright’s entourage. The direct nature and fluidity in his play can cause problems for the opposition. Besides, he found the back of the net in the Europa League fixture and must be running high on confidence.
