Daniel Feliciano

Wed 4 January 2023 13:10, UK

Michael Beale looks set to make minimal changes when Rangers take on Dundee United in their Scottish Premiership clash on Sunday.

The Bears are unbeaten in Beale’s five games as manager so far, seeing their four-game winning run come to an end in the 2-2 draw with Celtic on Monday (2 January).

With the lead at the top of the table still nine points, plus Celtic’s hugely superior goal difference, Beale could look to go more attacking to try and close both of those gaps at Tannadice Park.

In goal Allan McGregor has struggled to reach the levels of last season, but at 40 years old he is still more than good enough to be first choice and should continue in the side here.

Defensively the team haven’t been at their strongest this season, but Beale seems to have settled on his preferred back four for now.

Captain James Tavernier will start at right-back once again almost certainly after hitting 100 career goals in the Old Firm clash, while Connor Goldson and Ben Davies have established themselves as the first-choice pairing in the middle.

The goals conceded against Celtic were the first time they played together and conceded a goal this season, so Beale has got a strong foundation to build with. Borna Barisic will likely continue at left-back, despite the good form of Adam Devine recently.

In midfield Beale has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation for the most part, with any two of Glen Kamara, John Lundstram and Ryan Jack starting together to help progress play and stop the opposition gaining any momentum.

It’s likely that Beale will continue with the duo of Kamara and Lundstram for this game, to allow them to improve on their form but also with Jack’s contract situation at the club up in the air currently.

Further forward is where the manager could look to ring the changes for Rangers to score more goals.

Malik Tillman has done well since the new manager’s arrival and should keep his position on the right where he can use his physical and technical attributes to the best of his ability, and provide a solid goalscoring threat.

On the other side Fashion Sakala has been a regular for Beale and has been in good form, but Ryan Kent looked far better when he went wide against Celtic and got himself a goal, so could be moved back to the left to build on that momentum.

Alfredo Morelos got the nod up front in the Old Firm and had a poor showing in the first half, but he is a favourite of Beale’s and is likely to keep his place, but expect some pressure from Antonio Colak.

The Croatian hasn’t featured since Beale’s arrival due to injury, but he’s now fit again and with Beale stating upon his arrival that he wanted to use two strikers this could be the perfect opportunity to test it out.

Predicted Rangers XI: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic; Kamara, Lundstram; Tillman, Kent; Morelos, Colak.

In other Rangers news, Beale told to get rid of star man as opponents know “he can’t run”