Rangers take a break from the Scottish Premiership this weekend with a trip down the coast facing Ayr United in a Scottish Cup clash, at Somerset Park.
Tuesday night saw Rangers pick up a vital three points on an otherwise rather forgettable evening, however, the Scottish Cup could realistically be the Ibrox side’s best shot at silverware this season.
Here are the 5 storylines to follow in the match vs Ayr United:
1:JOSH WINDASS RECEPTION
After scoring on Tuesday night at Firhill, Josh Windass took it upon himself to silence the Rangers support. Not a wise move. We pay our money week in week out and expect you to score and dominate games vs Partick Thistle with all respect.
Josh had by my opinion a decent game on Tuesday capped with a wonderfully taken goal.
This is again an example of Josh not gauging the temperature of the room. Rangers players are made by performances in big games not by games vs, with all due respect, the teams at the lower reaches of the Scottish Premiership. We expect our players to perform week in week out. That’s what separates playing for Rangers than the rest.
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I, myself am undecided on this issue, I will always back the players on the park but this is not a war he will win. We the fans are Rangers, the players will always come and go, he must understand that. Fans are the lifeblood of the club.
2-MORELOS & CUMMINGS TOGETHER
Please, Mr Murty if there is ever a game to play the two up front together then surely this is that match, playing against a lower league opposition in the Scottish Cup represents as good a game as any.
I would like Murty to try a different formation, I sometimes feel we have become a touch predictable in our set up, so see this as a perfect opportunity in a competitive game.
3-MICHEAL O’HALLORAN ANYONE?
I think it’s fair to say that even the most optimistic Rangers fan can’t see the former St Johnstone forward at Ibrox for the long term. With speculation still afoot and the possibility that Alfredo Morelos could still leave if a non-European side pay a premium price for his services, surely it would make common sense to give the forward at least some playing time.
I can’t predict what is around the corner, the worst case scenario is that injuries could also take effect, forcing us into playing O’Halloran, so some game time aiding his match fitness is for everyone’s benefit.
It would most likely be the last chance saloon for a player who has failed to make any sort of impression since joining the club.
4-WHO WILL TAKE THE ARMBAND?
With club captain Lee Wallace still a long-term absentee and stand-in skipper at present Jason Holt suspended, the honour will fall upon somebody else for the match.
The most likely candidates are Wes Foderingham, Andy Halliday and James Tavernier. I personally would like to see Tav be given the armband as a reward for his fine form to go alongside his displays this season. He bounced back from Saturday with an assured display at Firhill, showing just what type of character he is.
5-AYR’S GOALKEEPER
I don’t usually focus on opposition players as it’s always about what we can do, however, if you’ve not seen Jack Ruddy’s error in last weekend’s game vs Alloa then it’s worth a look.
How the player bounces back in such a high profile match could be of interest. I would suggest getting some early shots and crosses in, testing his nerves.
Get in touch as always
@steven_harrigan @rangersnewsuk