Rangers take on Dundee in the Premier Sports Cup looking to retain a trophy that promised so much last season.
Philippe Clement will be glad to be back at Ibrox giving him one less thing to worry about as he looks to get the campaign back on track.
With a squad starting to take shape, this is the confirmed Rangers team news for the visit of Dundee.
Rangers confirmed team news vs Dundee
As a centre-half in his playing days, the manager appreciates the benefits of consistency in the defence.
What also helps, is a full week’s rest and recovery.
Jack Butland has produced when called upon and the central pairing of Robin Propper and John Souttar is starting to look solid too.
At left-back, Jefte has settled in to the demands of playing for Rangers and has improved defensively too.
He will be expected to contribute in the final third too on his first appearance at Ibrox.
James Tavernier has been under fire this season and needs a good performance.
With Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Dujon Sterling both capable of deputising, the skipper is looking over his shoulder.
Mohamed Diomande makes way for Dujon Sterling in the engine room with Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron battling it out for the deeper midfield role – the latter getting the nod this time.
At number 10, Tom Lawrence was outstanding against Dundee United and should have taken the match ball home with him, and despite Rangers paying £3.4m for Nedim Bajrami, he is having to do with a place on the wing.
Vaclav Cerny is on the other wing with Cyriel Dessers keeping his place at number nine – expect an early change for Hamza Igamane if things are going to plan.
Clement wants winning mentality from new-look Rangers
Clement is determined to repeat the feat of last season and wants his team to show the same desire:
“You know me already now. I want to win everything. That’s the goal of everything I do in life.
“I want to see that with my team also. It’s another competition where you go full to the victory. Some of them had the feeling already last season.
“We have a lot of new faces in the building but they all know already that, for me, every game is with the same importance and we want to win everything.
“That’s where we put the bar for ourselves. It’s the next challenge.”
In the cups, winning is all that matters, but Rangers current plight means that a good performance is essential too.
With the injury list low, there are no excuses.
