Rangers line-up to face Motherwell at Fir Park today has been confirmed with a combination of continuity and chance.
Michael Beale’s men can temporarily cut the gap at the top of the table to six points ahead of Celtic v Hibs at 3pm but it’s very much about taking care of the task in hand and that is to secure another win, this time in North Lanarkshire.
There is an expected, familiar look to the Rangers team which is as follows:
McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Ridvan, Lundstram, Jack, Cantwell, Sakala, Kent, Colak.
🆕 Today’s #RangersFC team to face Motherwell.
🗒️ Full Team News: https://t.co/sl2LdHnOUB pic.twitter.com/30MUMgdcve
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 18, 2023
Fir Park is usually a happy hunting ground for the Gers with no reason why that cannot continue today.
Here are three big talking points ahead of the game:
Ridvan returns for real
Turkish international Ridvan Yilmaz gets his long awaited opportunity. With his return to fitness, he has gained decent sharpness over the last week or so with outings for the B team and in training games, as well as a sub appearance at Ibrox last week. Now, with Borna Barisic at home in Croatia with his wife due to give birth ahead of his involvement with the national team, the door opens for the former Besiktas man.
He should relish the chance to make a proper impact in competitive action with a battle ahead to hold down the left flank slot for the rest of this season. Let’s see what Ridvan can bring today.
Cantwell’s canvas
This game should be one that Todd Cantwell can stamp his influence all over. Rangers will see plenty of the ball with the former Norwich man set to pull the strings in the engine room for Beale’s team. His open, expansive, hard-working style can be a big factor in Rangers asserting their dominance over Motherwell. Expect to see Cantwell looking busy in the middle to front areas, as he strives to kick on in what has been a very positive start to his Rangers career.
Tillman time
A great boost comes in the form of the return of the German-American to the Rangers squad. With key games on the horizon after the international break, it is vital that Malik Tillman is building his fitness for the likes of the game at Parkhead as well as the Scottish Cup semi-final. He still has something to prove in those games that matter, but for now he will hopefully get 10 minutes or so in today’s game. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how Beale accommodates both the US international and Cantwell in the same team but it’s a nice ‘problem’ to have. Tillman’s inclusion automatically makes the bench stronger.
Kick-off at Fir Park is at 12.30pm.