Danilo, Abdallah Sima and Sam Lammers to make debuts – Rangers predicted XI v Kilmarnock
Michael Beale is likely to hand out five debuts as Rangers travel to face Kilmarnock in the opening SPFL game of the season on Saturday (5 August).
The Gers have been busy in the summer window, making eight signings so far with Jose Cifuentes set to become the ninth imminently according to reports.
But there won’t be space for them all in the starting line-up as Beale looks to get off to a good start at Rugby Park, and the boss has some decisions to make on his first team of the campaign.
In goal Jack Butland has been signed to replace the now-retired legend Allan McGregor, and has been assured of starting the season as the number one goalkeeper.
In defence James Tavernier remains a key player for Beale at right-back, but his partner in crime Connor Goldson is likely to miss out having not featured in pre-season due to an injury.
That means John Souttar is likely to be partnered at the back by the returning Leon Balogun, who completed a shock return to the club after his release from Queens Park Rangers at the end of last season. At left-back, Ridvan Yilmaz seems to be first-choice now ahead of Borna Barisic and should get the nod.
In midfield Nicolas Raskin established himself as the main man in midfield after his arrival in January and that should continue, but with Cifuentes “extremely unlikely” to feature his partner in the middle is up in the air.
Glen Kamara won’t feature as an exit looks on the cards, and Ryan Jack is likely to be the man to get the nod ahead of John Lundstram after renewing his contract at the end of the previous campaign.
Further forward is where we have seen the most changes in the squad this summer, but Todd Cantwell is still likely to be a key cog in the system and should get a free-role despite starting out wide.
Abdallah Sima joined on loan from Brighton and should be seen as a direct replacement for Ryan Kent on the left-wing, where his pace can be put to use and he should start.
Up front it’s all change and marquee signing Danilo is likely to get his first start as the number nine. That should see fellow summer signing Cyriel Dessers start on the bench, with Sam Lammers using his link-up play to get the nod playing slightly behind him.
In other Rangers news, outgoing transfer “in major doubt” after what happened int he last 24 hours.