After Rangers were held to a draw in the first leg of their Champions League Playoff clash with PSV, attention will turn to the Scottish Premiership clash with Hibs.
As the dream of Champions League Group Stage qualification is shelved, and PSV get a weekend off to prepare for next week’s return, it’s a trip to Easter Road for the Ibrox men.
Traditionally one of the most difficult games of the season, these matches have been bruising encounters in the past but Rangers will go in heavy favourites after a perfect start to the season.
Rangers have dispatched Livingston (A), Kilmarnock (H) and St Johnstone (H) so far this campaign and will take encouragement from Hibs’ stuttering start to the campaign.
New Leith boss Lee Johnson hasn’t enjoyed the greatest start in Edinburgh with Hibs going out at the League Cup group stage and without a win in their last two Premiership matches.
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Beating 10-man St Johnstone (A) on opening day, since then the Hibees have rescued a late point against Edinburgh rivals Hearts (H) and been beaten by Livingston (A).
For this one we predict Rangers to rotate the squad slightly with an eye on Wednesday and the trip to the Netherlands.
That said, we expect Jon McLaughlin, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Borna Barisic to retain their places in the back five, with Ben Davies coming in for James Sands.
In midfield, John Lundstram has been one of Rangers’ top performers so far this season so we expect the Ibrox enforcer to keep his place with Ryan Jack coming in alongside him.
In front of them, Malik Tillman and Ryan Kent are both vital players for the return in the Netherlands and we’re backing them to be rested here.
With Tom Lawrence starting out left, we expect Scott Arfield to come back into the side with Scott Wright to be given the nod amid grumbles in the support surrounding ex-Aberdeen winger.
Up top, the shirt is Antonio Colak’s to lose and whilst we expect the big Croatian to start, Alfredo Morelos needs minutes later in this match if he’s to be in anyway available for PSV.
Rangers predicted XI v Hibs – 4-3-3
GK – Jon McLaughlin
DR – James Tavernier, DC – Connor Goldson, DC – Ben Davies, DL – Borna Barisic
CDM – John Lundstram, CM – Ryan Jack, CM – Scott Arfield
RW – Scott Wright, ST – Antonio Colak, RW – Tom Lawrence