Rangers are preparing to face off against Dundee in the Premier Sports Cup but the match takes on extra Ibrox significance for another reason.
The Gers are set to return to their spiritual home in the clash against the Dee, with Philippe Clement breathing a massive Ibrox sigh of relief.
The Belgian manager has been up against it to fuse a new-look Rangers team at Hampden due to the delayed reconstruction of the Copland Road stand.
With the development now complete, Ibrox looks resplendent and Rangers are ready to welcome Dundee to Glasgow in the Premier Sports Cup.
The prize of victory, without any hint of irony, is a place in a Hampden Park semi-final.
The question then is just how will Philippe Clement’s new-look Rangers line up on the club’s long-awaited return to Ibrox Stadium?
Big Rangers lineup calls for Philippe Clement
Rangers manager Philippe Clement is never one to bend to the frustrated will of the Ibrox support.
Amid swirling calls to see marquee summer signing Nedim Bajrami thrown into the side for the trip to Dundee United, the Belgian resisted.
Bajrami had just joined in a £3.6m deal from Sassuolo with Clement reiterating that the midfielder ‘didn’t even know his teammates’ names’.
But we don’t suspect that will be too much of a problem at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon.
With Rangers set to welcome Dundee as part of a later 5:30pm kick-off, we suspect this is an opportunity for Clement to give some of his new signings the perfect chance to fuse with the Ibrox support.
But whilst some fans are expecting an overhaul, we don’t believe that will be the case.
Jack Butland remains the club’s bonafide number one and, with Liam Kelly on the bench for the 2-0 win over St Johnstone, we don’t expect that to change.
In defence, Rangers captain James Tavernier is also expected to start with Philippe Clement persisting with new-look duo John Souttar and Robin Pröpper.
Whilst that means there’s no start for Neraysho Kasanwirjo, we do expect the Dutch-Indonesian defender to make his debut from the bench at Ibrox on Saturday.
Impressive Brazilian left-back Jefte is tipped to retain his place in the team.
In midfield, we fully expect Mohamed Diomande and Connor Barron to be given the nod with the impressive Tom Lawrence continuing at number 10.
Nedim Bajrami is however tipped to start off the left, with Vaclav Cerny returning at right-wing and Cyriel Dessers getting the nod as the lone striker.
It means disappointment for Oscar Cortes, Nicolas Raskin and Hamza Igamane, but we suspect all three will play some part from the bench with one eye on Thursday’s trip to face Malmo.
Rangers predicted XI v Dundee (Premier Sports Cup)
GK – Jack Butland
DR – James Tavernier
DC – John Souttar
DC – Robin Pröpper
DL – Jefte
CM – Connor Barron
CM – Mohamed Diomande
CAM – Tom Lawrence
LW – Nedim Bajrami
RW – Vaclav Cerny
ST – Cyriel Dessers
