Rangers confirmed XI v Motherwell – Glen Kamara and Fashion Sakala start
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers starting XI for the Sunday Scottish Premiership meeting with Motherwell has been announced.
The league clash is the first outing for the Light Blues since the high of overcoming Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League, drawing 2-2 at Ibrox on Thursday night.
The manager only made one change to the line-up following the first leg victory in Germany and saw his side struggled to a frustrating 1-1 draw at Dundee United, so more changes were expected this time out.
However it is just the two changes from Thursday, with Glen Kamara and Fashion Sakala coming in at the expense of Ryan Jack who misses out altogether and Borna Barisic who was withdrawn at half-time against Dortmund.
Allan McGregor is in goal behind, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, John Lundstram and Calvin Bassey.
The midfield consists of Kamara, Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo, with attacking wide men Ryan Kent and Sakala supporting Alfredo Morelos up top.
Domestic priority
Three points today are crucial as the reigning league champions turn their attentions back to the defence of their title.
Despite the jubilation of the European result, Gers’ top priority has to be overhauling Celtic at the top of the SFPL.
The Hoops’ draw at Hibs has opened the door for van Bronckhorst to make up ground and make this an extremely fruitful week for his team.
The dropped points at Tannadyce showed how difficult it can be for players to rouse themselves after an adrenaline-fueled occasion on the big stage.
With main rivals Celtic on the wrong end of a limp European exit, but now freed up to concentrate on a domestic assault, any suspicions that the Light Blues’ continental campaign will prove a distraction need to be shut down this afternoon.
After the low of the Old Firm derby defeat there had been a significant upturn in form that saw back-to-back league victories over Hearts and Hibs as part of a four-game winning run in all competitions.
The squad members who missed out on the Dortmund game have a big opportunity today to prove their importance to the manager.
In other Rangers news, Kenny Dalglish has shone the spotlight on one member of the squad as “one to watch”.