Steven Gerrard has a helluva tactical tweak to make, so we’ll give it our best guess in our predicted XI to face St Johnstone.
Scott Arfield is set to miss the trip to Perth this Sunday. He picked up an injury at Easter Road that subsequently rules him out of what’s now a must-win clash.
Added to that, there are also concerns over the fitness of Connor Goldson and Gareth McAuley. Could that mean a major reshuffle of the Rangers defence? Perhaps.
Allan McGregor will take his rightful place in between the sticks on Sunday. To his right he’ll see the ever reliable James Tavernier, and to his left the similarly impressive Borna Barisic.
So, what do we think will happen with the defence? Earlier on today we pushed the idea of a Nikola Katic return. The Croatian has been rooted to the reserves and bench in recent months, with only two appearances over the last two months.
Katic may just miss out to Worrall
As much as we would like to see it happen, we’re going to have to put a Katic start aside if push comes to shove. That means a return for Joe Worrall alongside Goldson, who’ll likely feature if he’s even 50% fit.
Daniel Candeias will start as always down the right, with Eros Grezda retaining his place down the left over Glenn Middleton.
Now, the big midfield dilemma. Rangers only have CDMs available, with no natural number 10 ready to face Saints.
When Arfield was out through suspension against Aberdeen and Dundee, Rangers went with a mixture of Lassana Coulibaly, Ryan Jack, Jordan Rossister, and Ovie Ejaria.
With Ejaria gone and Rossiter rooted to the reserves, we therefore think Gerrard will go with a 4-3-3. The midfield trio being Coulibaly, Jack, and Ross McCrorie.
Up front, of course, will be Alfredo Morelos, who’ll be hungry for his 18th goal of the season after drawing a blank on his return at Easter Road.
Below is our predicted XI in full.
