Rangers take on Hearts in a 3pm kick-off at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors are currently languishing around the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table and are without a permanent manager.
However, despite the fact that the Jambos lost 3-0 at Rugby Park last weekend, Rangers can’t afford to take the game lightly.
This is the Gers’ last home fixture in the league until Boxing Day and ahead of a testing period, a slip up this weekend would be disastrous.
Having said that, following on from a 2-2 draw against Feyenoord on Thursday evening, Steven Gerrard is likely to make several changes to freshen things up.
The Rotterdam tie was the eighth consecutive time the manager had fielded the same back four, but now could be the time for some rotation. Filip Helander has had a heavy recent workload with club and country and could drop out for fan favourite Nikola Katic, whose last outing came at Tynecastle in October [Soccerbase].
At left-back, Borna Barisic could also be given a breather. The 27-year-old has been superb in recent times and set up the second goal against Feyenoord. Yet, he’s barely missed a minute for Rangers or Croatia since September, and fit-again Jon Flanagan could deputise this weekend.
In midfield, one change is likely. The Gers need plenty of attacking options against a side who will likely sit in at Ibrox, and therefore, Joe Aribo is probably a better fit than Glen Kamara for this one.
Finally, in the attacking third, Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent are likely to keep their spots after very strong recent showings. However, Sheyi Ojo struggled on the right on Thursday and it would be a surprise to see him named as a starter again.
Greg Stewart is our pick to earn a recall, having performed well when given chances at home against Aberdeen and Hamilton earlier in the season.
Rangers Predicted XI vs Hearts (H) – 01/12/2019
GK – Allan McGregor
RB – James Tavernier
CB – Connor Goldson
CB – Nikola Katic
LB – Jon Flanagan
CDM – Ryan Jack
CM – Steven Davis
CM – Joe Aribo
RF – Greg Stewart
LF – Ryan Kent
ST – Alfredo Morelos
