Rangers return to domestic duty to face a Dundee United side that has gatecrashed the top six and are looking to stay there.
The Scottish Premiership table isn’t a good looking one for Philippe Clement as the manager fights for his job and for the backing of the Ibrox faithful.
The injury list hasn’t been helped by Nerasyho Kasanwirjo limping off against England Under-21s, however, the squad that is available should still be enough for Rangers to beat Dundee United.
Rangers predicted XI vs Dundee Utd
With another two weeks’ training under the belt and a bounce game for his fringe and returning players, this is the team that Clement should pick to face the Taysiders.
Clement questioned the defending of James Tavernier after the win over Hearts and, with Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup final only a matter of weeks away, Rangers should start building for that by including Dujon Sterling.
The skipper can come off the bench and play in the Europa League, but there is no reason for him to play every game – especially when he isn’t in great form.
It is a similar situation in the middle of defence, ideally, it shouldn’t be rotated between Robin Propper and Leon Balogun, on this occasion though, there is a reason why they should.
Balogun performs better domestically, whereas Propper’s best games for Rangers have been in Europe against less physical teams.
It also keeps Balogun fit.
Clement has to change things up in attack
Clement’s refusal to play Hagi against Hearts was a strange one and his international exploits only add to the mystery.
Mohamed Diomande is still young enough to adapt and show his best football, but at the moment, he isn’t and Nedim Bajrami will be dying to get a run of games in his preferred No.10 role.
Rangers need the forward line to produce and contribute numbers and Hagi, Bajrami and Vaclav Cerny is the most potent attack available at the moment with Danilo leading the line.
