Livingston star Joel Nouble namedrops three Rangers players ahead of SPFL clash
Livingston striker Joel Nouble suggests that Rangers are a different team under Michael Beale and he namedropped three players who add extra “quality” to the side ahead of their SPFL clash on Saturday (18 February).
Nouble says that he is looking forward to facing the likes of Todd Cantwell, Malik Tillman, and Ryan Kent who come inside a lot more than what it was under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The 27-year-old striker has scored in both games he has played against the Ibrox side. In the previous meeting between the two sides, Livingston earned a 1-1 draw (22 October) at Ibrox.
“I know they’re obviously one of the best teams in the league so they have the best players in the league but I’m a confident player against any player in the league,” said Nouble, as quoted by Football Scotland.
“I feel like I can do well against any of them. The new manager, from what I’ve seen they don’t really play… Gio was kind of out wide and get crosses into the box, now they’ve got Cantwell, Tillman, Kent comes inside a lot more so it’s different opposition.
“So still obviously quality players but the way Michael Beale has set them up is a bit different.”
Options
The Gers are in great form at the moment, having managed six wins in a row in all competitions.
Beale has made a great start to his managerial career at Ibrox, and he is yet to suffer a defeat. With every game, the Bears have picked up confidence, and they need another victory here to keep the momentum going.
Rangers will face Celtic on Sunday (19 February) at Hampden Park in the Viaplay Cup final, and the players would love to go into this game on the back of a positive result.
In terms of attacking threats, Beale now has got loads of quality options with him. Tillman and Kent are already in terrific form, while Cantwell impressed in his debut for the club.
Beale can bring in the likes of Fashion Sakala if needed. Likewise, Antonio Colak and Kemar Roofe are both fit, while Alfredo Morelos is back among goals as well.
This is a tricky game. Rangers should win this tie, given the depth of quality they have, but Livingston are capable of posing strong challenge.
In other Rangers news, the club are in line for a multi-million windfall from the Premier League after a £10m Auchenhowie milestone was reached.