You would think that the Rangers team for the trip to Parkhead picks itself but, as we’ve seen already from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, he isn’t shy of throwing in a surprise or two.
There is no Alfredo Morelos, Ianis Hagi or Filip Helander, three players who would almost be guaranteed to start, but we do have Joe Aribo, Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack and Kemar Roofe all back and available for selection, we have also added Amad Diallo and Aaron Ramsey in positions that needed to be strengthened.
This is the team I think the gaffer will go with, with one major decision to be made:
With no Morelos, it is a three-way decision as to who replaces him. Cedric Itten has started the last few games but hasn’t really done enough to suggest that he could cause them problems, he doesn’t use his frame well enough to body defenders, however, would I be surprised if he is picked? No.
Personally, and it depends on our game plan, I think it has to be Roofe or Fashion Sakala. If we are going to take the game to them and press higher up, it has to be the former, his ability to link play and his movement has caused them problems in the past, his double at Ibrox against them last season all the evidence you need but, if we plan to contain them and then hit them on the counter attack, it has to be Sakala – a front three with the Zambian international, Ryan Kent and Amad Diallo is devastatingly fast.
The midfield three will be our current best, the result was a disappointment but against Ross County we still managed to play attacking football for the most part in what were appalling conditions, Glen Kamara, Arfield and Aribo is a strong spine to the team, it’s just a shame Ramsey isn’t available to come on for Arfield later in the game.
The defence were culpable against County for the second goal but I’m going to afford them a pass based on the conditions, Allan McGregor isn’t as fortunate but we won’t see that again from him this season, if we do, he’ll lose his place in the team, it’s as simple as that, with Leon Balogun deemed fit though, I wouldn’t have any problems seeing his name in the starting XI, especially after his last Old Firm performance.
It’s all on Van Bronckhorst, he has the players at his disposal, he has to set them up properly to get the best out of them, we got what we wanted in January, let’s hope we get what we want tonight.