The Rangers team to face Kilmarnock is likely to hold a few changes from Sunday’s pretenders.
Rangers put in a dismal display in the 1-0 Betfred Cup semi-final loss against Aberdeen. Whilst the performance was dominant enough, Steven Gerrard bemoaned a lack of quality in the final third.
That was definitely evident in the Gers side last night. When they were on the front foot, they weren’t incisive enough in the final third. Only Ryan Kent looked truly capable of pulling something off, with Daniel Candeias and Ovie Ejaria often frustrating.
Despite that, Gerrard had close to his strongest XI out on Sunday. With such a must-win game now up next on Wednesday, Rangers can’t afford any slip-ups in their title quest. This is likely to mean minimal changes from the side that lost to Aberdeen.
The two big ones that should be made, however, is with Umar Sadiq and Jon Flanagan. Sadiq certainly gave it his all on Sunday, but he didn’t help himself with his late dive. It soured an otherwise average display, and many Rangers fans don’t want him near the side at this point.
Morelos is the man
Regardless of how he performed at Hampden, however, Alfredo Morelos was always going to come back into the team. The Colombian is Rangers’ talisman this season, and he won’t be dropped whenever fit.
Flanagan, on the other hand, has been poor over the last week. Bad displays against both Spartak Moscow and now Aberdeen should throw his inclusion in the starting line-up in real doubt.
Borna Barisic has yet to be ruled out or confirmed for Wednesday night. If he’s fit, however, he simply has to come in for the former Liverpool youth star. Flanagan could do with being dropped to reflect on his recent displays, and if it’s not Barisic, then Andy Halliday should slot in.
Another potential change could be the reintroduction of Scott Arfield into the line-up. The attacking midfielder came on for the final 10 minutes of the Dons defeat, and could replace the ineffective Ovie Ejaria.
Below is our full starting XI for the Killie clash
