Philippe Clement may have to wave goodbye to ViaPlay Cup final after Rangers call v Hearts
Rangers have confirmed their starting XI for the ViaPlay Cup semi-final against Hearts at Hampden Park on Sunday 5 November.
Philippe Clement has decided to make changes to his side that smashed Dundee 5-0 in midweek, with an eye on the final against Aberdeen next month.
Leon Balogun has been surprisingly selected for only his third start of the season in what could be the biggest game so far, with Ben Davies left on the bench.
The Nigerian made his first start in over three months against Dundee in the last game, with Hearts set to pose a much larger threat than he faced at Dens Park in the 5-0 win.
Lawrence Shankland tormented the Rangers’ defence last week at Ibrox, scoring in the opening minutes of the game, and he will fancy the same treatment again if he can.
Balogun won eight aerial duels against Dundee, but it will be his game on the floor that is tested this time out and he will need to be at the top of his game here [WhoScored].
Given how impressive Davies has been and the responsibility given to him by Clement since he arrived, it feels like a strange decision to stick with the Nigerian international.
This is a huge game for Clement so early into his Rangers career with every audition passed so far, with the chance for silverware already massive and potentially 180 minutes away.
Let’s hope his selection does not come back to haunt him and he has to wave goodbye to that.
In other Rangers news, a pundit has been left stunned after one summer signing has “disappeared” at Ibrox.