Rangers take on Motherwell at Hampden Park this afternoon with three points on offer and the chance to kick-start the Scottish Premiership campaign.
After two draws so far, Philippe Clement will want to see more of the chances that are being created taken with a squad that still isn’t at full strength in terms of fitness and availability for one reason, or another.
With, potentially, another three European ties to navigate, the manager has to be clever with his players and this is Rangers confirmed team to face Motherwell.
Rangers team news vs Motherwell confirmed: Kettlewell not happy
The Steelmen themselves are set to be weakened by injury with boss Stuart Kettlewell cursing his luck:
“We’ve had it through pre-season, we’ve had it for large chunks last season and the question that will come from yourselves, I had it from someone yesterday, is if we don’t delve into the exact kind of loading and what we do in training sessions.
“I can assure you that we’re as meticulous with that side of things as we possibly can.
“Some of the injuries are from impacts, completely unavoidable, and we’re trying to limit time on the pitch for some players to make sure that they’re fit and they’re able to play in games on a Saturday.
“It gets to the point almost for me just now where we can’t really train much less than what we are to prepare our players for playing a game of football on a Saturday. So it’s been a really difficult juggling act.”
A familiar story that Clement is all too familiar with himself.
The Gers boss doesn’t quite have a clean bill of health with Oscar Cortes out for the next four to five weeks, but the other main problems involve individuals who are getting up to speed and looking to shake off the rustiness.
Rangers line-up to face Motherwell
Here is your confirmed XI for the trip to the National Stadium:
The defence is starting to look more consistent with Robin Propper coming in to give Leon Balogun a rest, on current form, this will probably be the strongest back four – unless Dujon Sterling pushes James Tavernier at right-back.
In midfield, Clement still has to make do without Nicolas Raskin with Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande starting to form a solid partnership in the engine room.
The forward line needs more quality and freshening up which affords Vaclav Cerny his first start for Rangers, Cyriel Dessers will look to continue his good for but Scott Wright being deployed on the left-wing is a real surprise after being ineffective in his last two performances.
Can only think that Clement is planning to use Jefte in mid-week and wants to keep him fresh.
The performance was better in the Champions League qualifier, now Rangers need the results to pick up too.
