Barring a failed pitch inspection at 1pm this afternoon, Rangers will take the short trip to face Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup fourth round this evening.
There are doubts over the condition of the Dumbarton Football Stadium surface as a result of the recent cold snap. Fans from both sides will just be hoping the referee deems the pitch safe to play out the cup tie.
It will mark the Ibrox club’s competitive return to action following the winter break, which saw Rangers lose and draw friendlies against Hertha Berlin and FC Copenhagen respectively.
But the warm weather training camp to La Manga was the most important aspect of the break and it has given time for Philippe Clement to get his squad into tip-top shape heading into the second-half of the season.
The treatment table has thankfully cleared up a bit since the New Year but long-term absentees Kieran Dowell, Kemar Roofe and Danilo may not be seen again until the end of the season.
The likes of Ryan Jack and Tom Lawrence are available for selection in West Dunbartonshire but will they get a start?
Rangers to mix things up for cup
We think both Jack and Lawrence will be handed places on the bench, with Clement also opting to rest the likes of Jack Butland, Leon Balogun, John Lundstram and Cyriel Dessers.
It will be toss up between Ridvan Yilmaz and Borna Barisic for the left-back spot but given the former’s uncertain future, we believe Clement will select the Croatian.
Fabio Silva should be provided the opportunity to impress from the start against League Two Dumbarton, while Rabbi Matondo – just like on Tuesday against Copenhagen – will remedy Abdallah Sima’s absence.
Rangers predicted XI vs Dumbarton
GK – Robby McCrorie
RB – James Tavernier
CB – Connor Goldson
CB – John Souttar
LB – Borna Barisic
CM – Jose Cifuentes
CM – Nicolas Raskin
CAM – Todd Cantwell
RF – Ross McCausland
LF – Rabbi Matondo
ST – Fabio Silva
