Rangers go into this one in the unusual position of being behind Kilmarnock in the league. The Gers are two points behind the Rugby Park side and badly need to win this one to get back on track.
Alex McLeish this week saved his job and has been given full backing by the board, he needs to get a victory here to thank the chairman and get the fans back on side.
Qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League was no doubt a major achievement for McLeish and if he can get Rangers to second place in the SPL at the end of the season and maybe win the Scottish Cup he can consider this to be a successful season and show the fans that David Murray was right to keep the faith in him.
Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd will be out to impress McLeish, the young striker has scored 15 goals this season and is strongly linked with a move to Ibrox.
Killie struggled last season in the SPL but this season they have been brilliant and a real surprise package. The only meeting between the two clubs so far this season was at Ibrox back in September, Rangers ran out 3-0 winners on that occasion.
Rangers will find this one tough but they really need to stop the rot which has seen them go 10 games without a win.
Vital Quotes:
Alex McLeish, Rangers manager: ‘We have had a major result in midweek, a great achievement but we have to win the next game against Kilmarnock or we’ll get criticism all over again.’
Kilmarnock Team News:
Midfielder Peter Leven will miss out this game against his former club due to a knee injury.
Killie are also without Gary Wales and Gary Locke.
Player to watch: Kris Boyd
Has been in lethal form this season scoring 15 goals and is tipped to join Rangers soon.
Rangers Team News:
Brahim Hemdani, Olivier Bernard and Julien Rodriguez are still missing.
Dado Prso won’t quite make it but his striker partner Nacho Novo will be in the squad which will be a welcome boost for the Ibrox side.
Player to watch: Thomas Buffel
Rangers key man by a mile.
Match Facts & Stats
Last Match: Rangers 3 Kilmarnock 0, Sep 17th
Rangers record at Rugby Park: P93 W54 D21 L18 F195 A94
Ref Watch:
John Underhill
Next Fixtures:
Kilmarnock v Falkirk (a) Sat 17.12.2005
Rangers v Hearts (h) Sat 17.12.2005