Allan McGregor out: Rangers confirmed starting XI v St Mirren
By Jake Gray
Steven Gerrard has made one change to the team that defeated Brondby ahead of playing St Mirren in Paisley on Sunday afternoon.
Jon McLaughlin comes into the side to replace veteran goalkeeper Allan McGregor, while Gerrard names the same 10 outfield players that started in the win over Brondby.
Defender Leon Balogun was substituted in that Europa league win and there was some concern over the 33-year-old’s fitness, however he has been named in the side to face St. Mirren this afternoon.
Speaking to Rangers TV, Gerrard said, “He didn’t come off with an injury as such on Thursday night, he felt something, a little bit of a mechanism, bit of tightness and I took the decision out of his hands, we were 2-0 up and it wasn’t worth the risk.”
The Rangers manager believes his side will have enough to see off St. Mirren if they can play like they did in their Europa League victory on Thursday.
“I think St. Mirren will be a little more direct than Brondby”, he said.
“It’s important we do the messy bits of the game if you like. First balls, second balls, compete and show some steel and at the right time show our style, which is on the floor, create chances and try to be ruthless in the final third.
“If we get anywhere close to our performance on Thursday night, it should be enough.”
Morelos return to form needed
The Gers go into this one level with Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership and three points today would be enough to see them pull clear of the recently promoted side.
Striker Alfredo Morelos hasn’t been hitting the heights of previous seasons, and if Rangers want to pull away from the chasing pack, the Colombian needs to start firing in the goals.
Morelos at his best would have scored two or three against Hearts last weekend, however the 25-year-old didn’t take his chances, leaving boss Gerrard frustrated.
He came close to scoring against Brondby on Thursday night but his effort rattled off the post. He will be hoping to turn his goalscoring fortune around in Paisley this afternoon
In other Rangers news, Simon Jordan says there’s a lot of “noise” surrounding this man’s future at Ibrox.