Ahead of Rangers’ Premier Sports Cup quarter-final tie with Livingston, we’ve put together a Gers Predicted XI.
Steven Gerrard has a first cup win as a manager in his sights but he’s without several important players for Wednesday night’s clash.
Filip Helander, Ryan Jack and Ryan Kent are all out injured.
However, there was some positive player news ahead of the match, with Ianis Hagi and Nathan Patterson both returning to training. The former has recovered from Covid and the latter from an ankle problem.
During Tuesday’s press conference, Gary McAllister made it clear how seriously the Gers are taking the competition [Rangers.co.uk], but it’s still likely that several fringe players will be given opportunities to impress.
We’re predicting six changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Motherwell in the Premiership on Sunday.
Jon McLaughlin is likely to be named between the sticks in place of Allan McGregor, but there may only be one change to the back four.
Calvin Bassey is likely to swap in for Borna Barisic at left-back, but James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Jack Simpson could continue, with available again Patterson perhaps playing a role from the bench and Leon Balogun possibly rested again ahead of big trips to Dundee and Sparta Prague.
In midfield, it could well be all change, with John Lundstram, Scott Arfield and Juninho Bacuna replacing Steven Davis, Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo.
At the top end of the pitch, Alfredo Morelos should return but Scott Wright and Fashion Sakala could remain in the side to provide pace in wide areas, with Kemar Roofe dropping out.
Hagi is likely to feature off the bench given that he’s only just returned to training.
Rangers Predicted XI vs Livingston (H) – 22/09/2021:
GK – Jon McLaughlin
RB – James Tavernier
CB – Connor Goldson
CB – Jack Simpson
LB – Calvin Bassey
CDM – John Lundstram
CM – Scott Arfield
CM – Juninho Bacuna
RIF – Fashion Sakala
LIF – Scott Wright
ST – Alfredo Morelos