Antonio Colak tipped to start in Rangers v St Johnstone as pundit predicts team news
We’re delighted to welcome Tam McManus as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Michael Beale is expected to make at least two changes to his starting line-up when Rangers play St Johnstone at Ibrox on Saturday, according to Tam McManus.
Rangers beat the Saints 1-0 at McDiarmid Park last week in the Scottish Cup and they’ll have the chance to pile the misery on the Perth club on their home turf this weekend (28 January).
Allan McGregor played in goals in that game and kept a clean sheet but due to the recent rotation of goalkeepers, McManus expects to see Jon McLaughlin potentially back in between the sticks.
McManus also sees Antonio Colak starting after he returned from injury at McDiarmid Park.
“I don’t think it’s ideal for Rangers to be chopping and changing their goalkeeper,” McManus told Ibrox News.
“It was the cup last week and maybe they’ll make a change again this week. I don’t know. But I think when you have a goalkeeper you have to stick with your number one. I’m yet to see the benefit of it.
“Listen, St Johnstone probably aren’t going to test them because of how weak they are, maybe they’ll get one shot on target. It doesn’t matter who the goalkeeper is in that case.“
McManus is also excited to see Colak back in action for Rangers with the 29-year-old expected to return from injury.
The Croatia international came off the bench as a late substitute against St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup win at McDiarmid Park last weekend.
And ahead of the meeting at Ibrox on Saturday, McManus has predicted that Colak could make just his second start since the World Cup break.
He said: “It’ll be good to see Colak back for Rangers.
“He’s been out but at the start of the season he was banging goals in.
“He’s a big fan favourite and with some big games coming up – including a cup final – it’ll be good for him to get some games under his belt.”
In other Rangers news, a club in Europe holds the option to re-sign a player from Ibrox whenever they like.