John Lundstram, Glen Kamara and Fashion Sakala to be axed – Rangers predicted XI v Kilmarnock
Michael Beale could be set to axe at least three players from his Rangers starting lineup for the clash against Kilmarnock after the Viaplay Cup final loss.
Rangers were beaten 2-1 by Celtic, with several first-team regulars performing poorly when trusted with a starting spot in the side, leaving fans frustrated by the lack of new blood in the squad.
That could see Beale react by changing up the team where possible to get back to winning ways and keep the pressure on their fierce rivals in the race for the title.
In goal Allan McGregor got the nod at Hampden Park and did relatively well throughout, but rotation has been normal between the sticks this season and Beale could look to bring Jon McLaughlin back into the side after last weekend’s loss.
The defence is likely to be unchanged, simply because of a lack of options for the most part.
James Tavernier and Connor Goldson weren’t anywhere near their best for the game but will keep their place in the side at right-back and centre-back, while Ben Davies and Borna Barisic should continue on the left.
In midfield both John Lundstram and Glen Kamara started the final but were poor, with the team’s performance vastly improving once they went off the pitch.
That’s more than enough reason for January signing Nicolas Raskin and experienced Scotland international Ryan Jack to come back into the side from the start, with many fans furious the Belgian didn’t start in the first place.
Further forward in attack Malik Tillman was thrown in after injury but under-performed in the game, however after another week of training and recovery we should see a better version of him in this game if he starts as expected.
Ryan Kent has made the number ten role his own and despite a pretty poor performance against Celtic he’s a sure-fire starter, but Fashion Sakala is likely to drop out after starting the game and be replaced by January signing Todd Cantwell.
Up front Antonio Colak will be pushing for a start after Alfredo Morelos’ reaction to being substituted in the final, but the Colombian’s goal should see him get the nod with his recent vein of form the best he’s been in this season.
Rangers predicted XI: McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic; Jack, Raskin; Tillman, Kent, Cantwell; Morelos
In other Rangers news, a pundit has ripped into Gers fans after what they did in the Viaplay Cup final v Celtic.