Rangers welcome Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership for the first game at Ibrox this season and the fans are already a little disgruntled.
The Champions League qualifying defeat to Union Saint Gilloise hurt tenfold given the rather pathetic performance the team put in and there are frustrations aplenty.
We’re barely into August.
It’s the risk we run in these Champions League qualifiers and falling at this stage in particular couldn’t be labelled as anything but a failure from the board, management and players.
It also heaps massive pressure on the Premiership season, as if there wasn’t already, and this team is being tasked with answering the call.
Rangers predicted XI v Kilmarnock in Scottish Premiership
Perhaps a return to the club’s spiritual home in Ibrox will boost the Rangers team and fans will expect a reaction against newly promoted Kilmarnock.
We expect Derek McInnes and his charges to sit deep and frustrate so similarly to the match with Livingston we will dominate possession but be tasked with showing leadership, quality and incision.
We’re backing Jon McLaughlin to retain his place between the sticks as a debate rages regarding the goalkeeper position.
At right-back and centre-back, we’ve got captain James Tavernier and vice-captain Connor Goldson starting alongside new £9m left-sided pair Ben Davies (CB) and Ridvan Yilmaz (LB).
In front of them, Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst will not be a popular man in Govan if he goes with three more defensive midfielders again so we’re expecting Kamara and Lundstram to start in the middle with Malik Tillman in front of them.
On the left, we suspect Ryan Kent won’t be risked so are backing Tom Lawrence to start with Rabbi Matondo out right and Alfredo Morelos returning up top.
Rangers v Kilmarnock – Gers predicted XI – 4-2-3-1
GK – Jon McLaughlin
DR – James Tavernier
DC – Connor Goldson
DC – Ben Davies
DL – Ridvan Yilmaz
CDM – John Lundstram
CDM – Glen Kamara
CAM – Malik Tillman
RW – Rabbi Matondo
LW – Tom Lawrence
ST – Alfredo Morelos