Mike Slater

Tue 13 December 2022 10:10, UK

Rangers finally return to competitive action in the Scottish Premiership on Thursday 15 December as they welcome Hibernian to Ibrox Stadium.

Michael Beale also gets his first competitive fixture after smashing Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 over the weekend in a comprehensive victory in which he still wasn’t 100% pleased.

Questioning the fitness of some will no doubt see some changes coming into the side, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s system now a thing of the past.

Allan McGregor will no doubt keep his spot in the side after getting the nod in the opening 45 minutes against Leverkusen, although he had very little to do in the game.

James Tavernier may have missed his penalty in the clash, but he was back at his best creating chances consistently and leaving with a couple of assists.

With Borna Barisic still at the World Cup and Ridvan Yilmaz injured, Adam Devine more than deserves to keep his spot in the side after shining throughout against the Germans.

Despite the “huge” news that Connor Goldson was ahead of schedule, he will sit out this one, with James Sands and Leon King keeping their spots in the middle.

Ryan Jack will get the nod ahead of John Lundstram too, with the latter needing a rocket to get him back to his best after looking like he had given up before the World Cup break.

One player who could really benefit from Beale coming in is Glen Kamara, with the Finland star able to get on the ball and dictate play from deep positions consistently.

Ahead of those two will be Malik Tillman, of course, after his two-goal domination of Leverkusen proving what he can do when he is given the chance to thrive in the heart of the side with positive football around him.

Ryan Kent is another who will love the appointment of Beale, and after his phone call to the manager was revealed, he will be wanting to go to another level under the new gaffer.

No one has really made that right-hand side their own this season, and it looks as though Rabbi Matondo will be given the first shot to prove himself all over again at Ibrox.

Antonio Colak certainly struggled in the new system compared to his usual antics over the weekend, and Alfredo Morelos looks to have done enough to take his spot.

The Bufalo was everywhere in the second 45 minutes of the win, winning the penalty and assisting Scott Arfield’s goal, something he will look to replicate here.

Here’s how we expect Rangers to line up against Hibernian…

In other Rangers news, Michael Beale has outlined his desire to sign Malik Tillman on a permanent basis.