Following Glasgow Rangers’ terrific 3-0 victory against Union Saint-Gilloise on Tuesday which overturned the 2-0 defeat in the first leg and ensured passage into the Champions League play-off tie, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side welcome St Johnstone to Ibrox on Saturday.
The Premiership clash offers the Ibrox side a chance to make it three wins from three on league duty and continue building the momentum ahead of the crucial tie against PSV next Tuesday.
There are no fresh injury concerns for Rangers heading into the tie, with only Ianis Hagi and Filip Helander currently on the treatment table with long-term problems.
Van Bronckhorst will be expecting to see a repeat of Tuesday’s performance against a side who will surely apply a low block and try to ensure it’s a frustrating 90 minutes for the home crowd.
Predicted starting XI
In goal, Jon McLaughlin will continue his no.1 duties, having taken over from club legend Allan McGregor, who is a more than able deputy if needed.
The back four will remain unchanged from Tuesday, with James Tavernier and Borna Barisic taking up their usual spots, with James Sands and Connor Goldson aiming for their third clean sheet in a row at the heart of the defence.
There will be one change in midfield, with Glen Kamara replacing Scott Arfield and he will feature in a midfield three containing Tuesday’s star Tom Lawrence and John Lundstram.
The front three will see the biggest change, with club talisman Alfredo Morelos, who scored on his return against Kilmarnock last week as the Dutchman dubbed him “very important”, will replace £1.8m Antonio Colak in the starting XI. The “terrific” finisher is key to the Gers success and he will be supported by Ryan Kent from the left and Malik Tillman from the right.
The young American scored the goal that ultimately won the tie against USG on Tuesday evening and he has settled into life well in Glasgow.
Predicted Rangers XI (4-3-3): McLaughlin; Barisic, Goldson, Sands, Tavernier; Lawrence, Kamara, Lundstram; Kent, Morelos, Tillman.