Jose Cifuentes set for debut as Cyriel Dessers to be axed by Micheal Beale – Rangers predicted XI vs Servette
Michael Beale is predicted to react to the opening day defeat to Kilmarnock by making three changes to his Rangers starting line up for the European qualifier with Servette, including a debut for Jose Cifuentes.
A frustrating 1-0 loss on Saturday (5 August) has put the Gers boss under pressure already after a summer of extensive overhaul in the transfer market, and he can’t afford to get off to a similar start in his quest to qualify for the Champions League.
The Swiss runners-up come to Ibrox on Wednesday night (9 August) after overcoming Genk on penalties in the previous round, and the men tipped to pay the price for the weekend are big-money striker Cyriel Dessers, fellow new arrival Kieran Dowell, and midfielder John Lundstram.
Nigerian international Dessers had a frustrating competitive debut at Rugby Park as the visitors drew a blank despite having 18 shots, with only four on target, and was replaced after the hour by the only man who cost more this summer in Danilo just after the hour.
The £6million former Feyenoord striker [Sky Sports, 28 July] is predicted to come in up front for this one as Beale looks to get his season belatedly underway.
The Rangers boss raised eyebrows by leaving Todd Cantwell on the bench for his first XI of the campaign, after the January arrival ended the previous campaign as arguably the top performer, so he is expected to switch back to the former Norwich midfielder from the start, while also handing signing number nine Cifuentes his first outing in a Light Blues shirt alongside.
Jack Butland is likely to remain in goal, and while it was sloppy defending from John Souttar that saw Brad Lyons put the Kilmarnock winner away Beale will probably keep him in central defence next to Connor Goldson in an attempt to build up a partnership rather than switch to Leon Balogun.
Captain James Tavernier will start on the right as always, and in the absence of Ridvan Yilmaz or Dujon Sterling thanks to injury Borna Barisic gets another game on the left of the back four.
Nico Raskin is the only midfielder who stays in place with Cifuentes and Cantwell joining him while new pair Abdallah Sima and Sam Lammers keep their spots either side of Danilo, with Ianis Hagi the only other option.
In other Rangers news, another first-team player has announced they are leaving the club this summer.