The rest of the domestic season for Rangers is all about building for next season now with Barry Ferguson tasked with steering the ship until the summer.
The Hall of Fame legend’s chances of getting the Rangers job on a permanent basis are slim due to the current domestic form and results at Ibrox, but he will still have the club’s best interests at heart.
He will relish a trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen and he will be hoping that the showdown talks after the defeat to Hibs have had the desired effect.
For some, it will be too little, too late, having had too many chances; first, under Philippe Clement, and now under Ferguson too.
The Europa League is a different proposition, however, Ferguson should name a much-changed Rangers line-up to face Aberdeen.
Rangers predicted XI vs Aberdeen
First of all, formation. It should never be too rigid, merely a framework to adhere to out of possession.
When all is lost, go back to basics and what has worked in the past.
For Rangers, this is the 4-3-3 that Steven Gerrard deployed with two No.10s who would occupy the channels and allow the full-backs to overlap.
What it also did was provide dominance in midfield and negate the risk of the full-backs being exploited when they attack.
Jack Butland might be dropped, or at least, taken out of the spotlight for a game or two.
Liam Kelly isn’t a better keeper, but there is a standard that needs to be met, and Butland will know better than anyone that he has been miles off it recently.
In defence, the most consistent four is Jefte, Leon Balogun, John Souttar and James Tavernier.
A change in midfield and new look Rangers attack
What this also would have done, is allow for Dujon Sterling to be played in midfield where his aggression and physicality could help with what has been a lack of control.
He is also a natural option to cover Tavernier when he ventures forward in the same way that Ryan Jack used to do it, unfortunately, both he and Bailey Rice will miss out after being injured against Athletic Club.
Mohamed Diomande returns after suspension and should be fresh, with Nicolas Raskin keeping everything together and ticking over.
After a man of the match display for Belgium against Ukraine, he shouldn’t be letting Graeme Shinnie get the better of him.
They should be joined by Ianis Hagi who impressed against Athletic, not for his work on the ball, but off it instead, where he put in a huge shift defensively.
The three in attack will also bring a freshness with both Danilo and Oscar Cortes not having started in some time.
There is no reason why they shouldn’t, even if they are short of minutes because they have been in full training since before the last international break.
Joining them, is Vaclav Cerny, with Hamza Igamane getting the weekend off to keep him fresh for the trip to Spain.
