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Ryan Kent and Tom Lawrence dropped - Rangers confirmed XI v St Johnstone
Rangers have confirmed Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s starting XI for St Johnstone’s visit to Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership.
It’s back to domestic action for the Dutchman and his side after they overturned the 2-0 first leg deficit against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League qualifiers with a 3-0 win in Glasgow on Tuesday (9 August).
He has decided to ring the changes from the European win by bringing in summer signing Ben Davies for a start in defence, as well as fellow arrival Rabbi Matondo further forward, plus Ryan Jack and Scott Wright start, meaning key attacker Ryan Kent is dropped along with Tom Lawrence.
As confirmed on the club’s Twitter account, Jon McLaughlin remains in goal, behind the back four of captain James Tavernier and Borna Barisic, either side of Connor Goldson and Davies.
The midfield consists of Jack with John Lundstram, and the attacking firepower is provided by Wright and Matondo joining Malik Tillman and Antonio Colak.
Form building
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It has been a slightly inconsistent start to the season, being forced to come back from a goal down in the SPFL opener, and then the miserable showing that caused the loss in Belgium.
But after back-to-back Ibrox wins with five goals scored and none conceded it looks like the Light Blues are starting to hit some form.
The manager will be wanting to extend that run to three this weekend to take a confident side into the first leg of the crucial tie against PSV Eindhoven.
He will also be desperate to avoid any untimely injuries ahead of that game, and with the Dutch side being aided in their preparation by fixtures being rearranged the Gers need to ensure they don’t give themselves any other disadvantages.
St Johnstone come into the game with a win and a loss so far in the league and the home side really have to be looking to get three more points on the board.
Already it’s the two sides of the Old Firm level at the top of the table ahead of the rest and as the Bears look to fight back the Premiership title they will want to avoid any early dropped points.
In other Rangers news, there are only two players in the entire squad who don’t have a role this season and can leave.