BBC pundit predicts Rangers squad prayer for Scottish Premiership clash v Livingston
Kenny Miller has predicted that the Rangers squad will be collectively praying for rain during their clash with Livingston on Sunday 12 November.
Philippe Clement’s side travel to the Tony Macaroni Arena for their final game before the November international break as they look to continue their unbeaten start under the Belgian, but will have to contend with the artificial pitch.
Livingston’s plastic pitch has caused several teams problems in the past and BBC Sport pundit Miller believes that the entirety of the Rangers squad will be hoping that the weather does them a favour.
Writing for the Daily Record (12 November) he said: “We all know it won’t be the same game. We know what it’s like on Livi’s surface. Rangers’ players will be praying for rain so that it’s not dry, sticky and slow.
“If it’s like that it can affect teams who want to play with the speed and intensity Rangers had on Thursday night.
“It will be difficult but if they want to get serious about a title challenge and, come May, be competing for trophies then Rangers must win this type of game.”
Rain dance
What was so impressive about Rangers’ display on Thursday (9 November) against Sparta Prague was the energy and intensity that was on show, both in and out of possession from all aspects of Clement’s side.
The Ibrox club didn’t give the visitors a chance to settle in the game as they harried them in the press and then quickly broke into an attack against them to make life incredibly difficult for the Czech side. That style of play was possible at Ibrox, but it might not be against Livi.
For a player like Todd Cantwell who likes to get on the ball and drive Rangers up the field, a slow and sticky pitch will really limit his ability to influence the game. However, with a little bit of rain, the artificial pitch could become a bit quicker and suit the Light Blues completely.
As Miller suggested, if Rangers want this season to produce a serious title challenge, they need to find a way to win every game that they enter, no matter what sort of conditions the match is played in. Celtic have already gone to Livingston and got the job done this season and the Gers need to do the exact same.
In other Rangers news, Clement now needs a favour from Celtic to be able to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup