Rangers face Hibs on Saturday at 3pm at Ibrox, in what’s sure to be an electric atmosphere. With only 5 points separating the sides, and both teams feeling aggrieved by results against each other earlier in the season, the teams will be every bit as passionate as the fans as they look to prove a point.
Hibs come into the game in mixed form of late. They’ve had numerous changes to their squad in the January transfer window, and are always difficult to predict in terms of a starting line-up.
HIBS LAST 5 LEAGUE RESULTS
Hearts (away), 0-0 draw
Kilmarnock (home), 1-1 draw
Dundee (away), 1-0 win
Celtic (away), 1-0 defeat
Motherwell (home), 2-1 win
Due to some issues at their winter training camp, Hibs released Anthony Stokes, one of their top scorers this season. They’ve also loaned Simon Murray to Dundee, who is their top scorer this season. They’ve signed multiple players, including Cammy Bell, Scott Allan and Florian Kamberi. Rangers fans will know what Allan can bring to a team, but Kamberi is a largely unknown threat. From limited viewings, he looks like a player who is good with his back to goal and a decent finisher. He scored on his debut against Motherwell, and will be considered a threat.
Other players who will be looking to have an influence include John McGinn, Brandon Barker and Martin Boyle. After the way Hibs played in the game at Easter Road earlier this season, I feel they will line up with the latter 2 out wide in a 4-3-3 of sorts. Their attacking intent will be shown by whether they start with Scott Allan or Marvin Bartley in midfield. In defence, Efe Ambrose has often been playing at right back of late, or right hand side in a back three.
For Rangers, the paucity of strong performers in the Fraserburgh game has meant that Murty has very little to consider. It would be expected that the starting line-up will be the same as it was in our previous two league games.
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PREDICTED STARTING LINE UP
Foderingham
Tavernier
Bates
Martin
John
Holt
Goss
Candeias
Windass
Murphy
Morelos
Russell Martin missed the game on Wednesday due to a family bereavement, so there may be a chance he’ll still require time. The only other player I believe would be considered to start is Greg Docherty, but that would mean dropping one of the forward 4, who have been integral to our stronger performances of late. Former Hibs player Jason Cummings is sure to get on the park at some point.
This game will be won by the side who are best able to dominate the ball in midfield. Hibs are a side who look to play for possession and territory instead of just sitting in on the counter. They’ll feel they’ve been the equal of Rangers in terms of ability in recent matches. As such, it’s likely they’ll look to McGinn and McGeouch to win their battles and allow their wide players to stay higher up the pitch. Both Holt and Goss will need to show composure and determination to keep Rangers on the front foot.
Rangers have got good results in the bigger matches under Murty. Of all of them, though, the win away to Easter Road was the poorest performance. For this game, I think Rangers will play well and win 3-1.
What’s your predictions for Saturday? Tweet us @rangersnewsuk with your thoughts!