In a preview for Sky Sports, Kris Boyd has predicted that Steven Gerrard will axe Glen Kamara from the Rangers starting XI for Sunday’s League Cup semi-final against Hearts.
The Gers performed well last time out, with the midfield running the show in Dingwall against Ross County.
Yet, Steven Davis was rested for the midweek Premiership clash and given how outstanding he’s been this season, he’s almost certain to return to the lineup at Hampden.
Ryan Jack is undroppable at the best of times, but after a masterclass in the Highlands, his position in the team is more secure than ever.
That means it’ll be either Kamara or Joe Aribo who misses out.
“I would expect Glen Kamara to drop out at the weekend and Steven Davis to come back in so you could argue Rangers are stronger,” Boyd told Sky Sports. “If they can get anywhere close to the performance that they produced in the highlands on Wednesday then, for me, they should take part in the League Cup final.”
This would be harsh on the Finnish international, who put in one of his best club performances of the season against the Staggies.
He’s usually called on for the big occasions, starting all three Europa League group matches to date.
However, there’s a different feel going into this semi-final. It would be dangerous to underestimate this Hearts side, but it’s a fact that they carry significantly less attacking threat than the likes of Feyenoord and Porto.
Therefore, Rangers can afford to be a little more expansive.
Rather than fielding three holding players in the middle, Joe Aribo, who was involved in three of his team’s four goals on Wednesday night, should be included and given license to get forward.
If he can make incisive runs from midfield, linking up with the out-and-out attackers, the Gers will be hard to stop.
In agreement with Boyd then, we’ve plucked for Jack, Davis and Aribo as the midfield trio in our Predicted XI ahead of Sunday.
