Rangers concluded their Portuguese training camp with a friendly fixture against Mansfield Town.
Encouragingly, they emerged 2-0 winners over the EFL League Two outfit, courtesy of goals from Sheyi Ojo and a screamer from Greg Docherty.
The game was played in three 30 minute periods, with the manager making major personnel changes at each interval.
Clearly, this is the time for Gerrard to experiment and to look at certain combinations. Yet, the starting XI for the Mansfield friendly looked the strongest of the three sides fielded and it’s worth posing the question, how close is it to the manager’s preferred lineup?
Starting XI vs Mansfield
Foderingham – Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Flanagan – Davis, Kamara, Jack – Ojo, Defoe, Murphy.
Gerrard’s best side?
First up, it’s noticeable that there’s no Allan McGregor between the sticks. He’s the Gers no.1 and there’s nothing to suggest that has changed during the summer break. Yet, he is suspended for the start of the league season, so that may have been a factor in giving Fods the gloves first up.
In defence, it’s no surprise to see Tavernier and Goldson. They will continue to be shoo-ins to this Rangers team. Edmundson has been at the training camp for longer than Katic, hence his inclusion. However, it would be a surprise if Jon Flanagan was to be ahead of Borna Barisic in the pecking order. While Flanagan ended 2018/19 well, Barisic has recently starred for Croatia at international level and is the only natural left-back in the squad.
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There’s every chance the midfield three selected here, is the one that will start the season. Davis, Kamara, and Jack were all outstanding during last term’s post-split charge. New signing Joe Aribo is bound to be heavily involved as the season goes on. Yet, for now, this is Gerrard’s strongest midfield combination.
In wide areas and off the striker, the manager has a host of players to choose from. Scott Arfield is currently away on international duty, and will likely slot into an advanced role when he returns. In his absence, though, Ojo and Murphy is likely Gerrard’s best combination. New signings Jones and Hastie are exciting options but are most likely to be deployed off the bench as impact players, especially early in the season.
Up front, it’s clear Gerrard will continue with his lone striker policy. Therefore, it’s either Defoe or Morelos. Jermain got the nod against Mansfield and that’s likely a consequence of his displays at the back end of last season. It’s his jersey for the time being, but it will surely prove difficult to keep 30-goal Morelos out in the long-run.
In sum, then – how close is this to Gerrard’s preferred early season starting XI? Very.
