Andy Walker predicts Rangers v Motherwell result, issues bold warning about three players

Andy Walker has warned Rangers that Motherwell trio Declan Gallagher, Alan Campbell and Tony Watt could step up and perform on the "big stage" at Ibrox on Saturday.

The Light Blues welcome Stephen Robinson and his men to Glasgow this weekend as they return to Scottish Premiership action with the aim of putting to bed their shock Betfred Cup defeat to St Mirren on Wednesday.

Rangers lost for the first time this season due to a late goal in Paisley but a quick turnaround in matches hands them the perfect opportunity to bounce back straight away.

And Sky Sports pundit Walker predicts them to do exactly that.

He believes the Gers will win 2-1 against the Steelman on Saturday but has boldly claimed that Robinson possesses players in his squad who could hurt the Premiership leaders.

"Everyone was taken by surprise when St Mirren managed to become the first Scottish side in nine months to defeat Rangers on Wednesday night, the chance of securing the first trophy of the season has gone for Steven Gerrard. Having gone 27 games unbeaten, no one thought that run would end in Paisley," Walker wrote on the Sky Sports website.

"Realistically though, the only show in town this season is the league title for Rangers and they have a chance of extending their lead at the top of the table to 16 points with a win, given that Celtic are on Scottish Cup final duty on Sunday.

"Alfredo Morelos will be missing for Rangers after the club accepted a retrospective two-game ban after the Colombian's yellow card offence last weekend at Tannadice was upgraded to a red.

"Motherwell travel to Ibrox in poor form having lost at home to St Mirren last time out but in Declan Gallagher, Alan Campbell and Tony Watt, they do have players capable of playing well on a big stage."

Pressure cannot build

It's hard to say this statement without raising the pressure on the players and Gerrard but they need to win this game to ensure that people don't get on their backs and start questioning their title credentials.

Wednesday night's performance against St Mirren was a shocker but it was coming.

The Light Blues didn't look with it in their game against Dundee United last Sunday although it did result in a win for Gerrard's men.

But you had the feeling that game could have been a banana skin with the way it was going. Instead, it took two superb goals by James Tavernier and Connor Goldson to secure three points.

St Mirren were up for that game more than Rangers on Wednesday. Motherwell cannot be in the driving seat this weekend at Ibrox.

We don't think that will happen but we don't want to get stuck in a rut at a vital stage of the season.