Rangers take on Partick Thistle on Monday evening at Firhill Stadium in their first pre-season fixture.
It’s one of four confirmed 2021/22 preparation matches for the Gers and it will be shown live on RangersTV, with a strong lineup named for the coverage.
Obviously, pre-season is all about trying things out and giving opportunities to fringe and youth players as well as established stars.
However, we’re still going to try and predict the Rangers starting XI based on who was present for the first week of pre-season training and Jags boss Ian McCall’s claim that Steven Gerrard intends to name a strong side.
We expect Allan McGregor to start in goal to get him back into the swing of things, with Andy Firth, Robby McCrorie and Kieran Wright all in with a shout of playing the second half.
At the back, the continued absence of both Filip Helander and Borna Barisic means we expect the manager to go with a four of James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey.
Glen Kamara is also yet to report back following international duty and the fixture is likely to come too soon for Ryan Jack, so we’re going for a midfield two of Steven Davis and Joe Aribo, with new arrival Nnamdi Ofoborh set for a debut off the bench.
Ianis Hagi may then be deployed in a more advanced central role, with Kemar Roofe and Scott Wright on either side and Cedric Itten leading the line.
Rangers Predicted XI vs Partick Thistle – 05/07/2021 (A)
GK – Allan McGregor
RB – James Tavernier
CB – Connor Goldson
CB – Leon Balogun
LB – Calvin Bassey
CM – Steven Davis
CM – Joe Aribo
CAM – Ianis Hagi
RW – Kemar Roofe
LW – Scott Wright
ST – Cedric Itten
Here are five exciting starlets who could also feature in the match off the bench.
