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Rangers v Livingston – Surprise at right-back as Gerrard keeps the faith, predicted XI

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Rangers return to league action tonight to take on Livingston with the league cup finalists looking to bounce back from their defeat to St Johnstone at the weekend.

It has become one of the hardest away fixtures for both sides of the Old Firm in recent seasons and, despite a slump in form, this game should be no different – when you are seven points away from you first title in nearly a decade, three points is all that matters.

With the finish line well and truly in sight, Steven Gerrard won’t be thinking about rotation, games haven’t been anywhere near as frequent as the festive period and players should have no excuses for being tired. Injuries to key players make the selection easier too and as a result this is who I think should be trusted to get the three points:

Nathan Patterson was outstanding in the second half against Royal Antwerp and as long as he isn’t suspended by the SFA, he should play, especially with Leon Balogun being a doubt, Gerrard has clearly forgiven the youngster, so should we.

Midfield is the only area where I think there is a 50/50 decision between Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo, I could see the former starting the two domestic fixtures and Aribo coming back in for the Slavia Prague games, however, when the Nigerian international is on form, it’s sometimes best to just let him do his thing – the artificial pitch and an ankle injury earlier in the season would make me go with Arfield on this occasion though.

Result prediction

Win

Win

Draw

Draw

Loss

Loss

The front three are flying just now and, even when Kemar Roofe is fit, they should be allowed to continue, there can be few voices in the Gers support that fail to see exactly what Ianis Hagi and Ryan Kent bring to this Rangers team now, if they can replicate the Antwerp performances, Livi are in trouble.

Three points, no injuries, back along the road – three to go.

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