Rangers confirmed XI v Celtic: Ianis Hagi axed as Michael Beale makes two changes
Rangers starting line-up has been confirmed for their Scottish Premiership Old Firm derby clash against Celtic at Ibrox on Saturday (13 May).
Michael Beale confirmed that duo Ryan Kent and Ben Davies will not feature in the game due to injury and has decided to make two changes from the team that beat Aberdeen 1-0 last Sunday [7 May], in what is the second of five post-split league fixtures.
Davies and Ianis Hagi come out of the side with John Souttar and Ryan Jack returning to the team, in what looks like a change of shape to a 4-3-3 with John Lundstram and Nicolas Raskin alongside Jack in midfield.
Fashion Sakala continues up front at the expense of Alfredo Morelos, with Rabbi Matondo and Todd Cantwell on the flanks in the starting XI.
Pride or nothing
This is a pride-or-nothing clash for Beale and his Light Blues team.
While Celtic remain on course for a domestic treble, Beale’s side have no hope of silverware with only the target ending the season with one victory over their fiercest rivals.
There will be many changes at Ibrox this summer and this is another of five chances for many of these Rangers players to stake a claim to Beale that they will remain an integral part of the team beyond the summer.
The Gers will have to play the game without key men Kent and Davies for this fixture which certainly hampers their chances of success somewhat, but it’s an opportunity for others to come in and prove themselves in their absence.
With nothing to play for against their Old Firm rivals on Saturday, it is a chance for Beale to run the rule over his squad once again, and given the number of disappointing results he’s endured against Celtic, he’s surely desperate for a final positive result against them to send a strong statement for next season.
In other Rangers news, a £20million transfer budget has been mooted to complete all of the necessary business during the window.