Barry Ferguson predicts Rangers XI v Kilmarnock after what he’s seen, four new signings miss out
Rangers great Barry Ferguson has predicted that four of Rangers’ summer signings will not make the starting XI for their Scottish Premiership opener against Kilmarnock in an article for the Daily Record.
Writing for the newspaper’s online version on Thursday (3 August), the former Gers captain gave his thoughts on who would make the starting line-up.
The former Scotland midfielder tipped Sam Lammers, Kieran Dowell and Cyriel Dessers to get the nod, which would mean Danilo, Dujon Sterling, Leon Balogun and Abdallah Lima miss out. He did not name a goalkeeper, but Jack Butland is likely the preferred option.
Ferguson wrote: “From what I’ve seen so far this summer his starting line-up for Killie is going to be very interesting. If big Connor Goldson is fit I’d throw him straight back in beside John Souttar at the heart of defence.
“James Tavernier and Borna Barisic would be my full-backs with Ryan Jack and Nico Raskin sitting in midfield behind Todd Cantwell, Sam Lammers and Kieran Dowell with Cyriel Dessers up top.”
A fair assessment
The changes have been plentiful at Ibrox during a hugely exciting summer for Rangers fans, who have already seen eight new faces arrive and that will soon become nine when the addition of LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes is formally announced.
Several regulars were released – including veteran Allan McGregor and striker Alfredo Morelos – and more could follow, with Fashion Sakala, Glen Kamara and Scott Wright among the most obvious candidates.
But it does seem very unlikely that all eight (or nine) of the new faces will be thrust immediately into the starting XI. Beale will want some sort of continuity amid the raft of changes to his playing squad.
Possibly the biggest dilemma is who gets the nod up front. If he goes with just one striker then it is a straight shoot-out between Dessers and Danilo. But there is a possibility that Beale goes with both men.
It is difficult to say with certainty how Beale will line-up, but Ferguson’s effort does not feel a million miles away.
In other Rangers news, Glen Kamara is ready to quit Ibrox within the next 48 hours.