Peter Lynch

Wed 20 December 2023 10:10, UK

Rangers will be in very high spirits when they welcome St Johnstone to Ibrox for their Scottish Premiership clash.

The league encounter will take place under the lights in Glasgow on Wednesday (20 December), just a few days after the Gers secured the Viaplay Cup.

And manager Philippe Clement will undoubtedly ring the changes to his starting XI for that very reason, with many of his key players needing a rest.

One such player is winger Ross McCausland, who started and played 74 minutes of that 1-0 win against the Dons at Hampden Park.

Given his minutes on the pitch in recent weeks, and indeed the fact he is only 20 years old, McCausland should be one of the first players that comes to Clement’s mind when handing out spots on the bench against St Johnstone.

Moreover, the manager has plenty of suitable options to come in from the start in the youngster’s place, with the likes of Scott Wright and Rabbi Matondo the prime contenders.

The potential axe from the man in the Ibrox dugout may seem harsh considering McCausland’s latest achievement, with the Northern Ireland international named as the club’s Men’s Player of the Month for November [official Rangers website, 19 December].

But it is certainly the best course of action to take, even with Rangers sensing a real opportunity to continue their fine momentum and close the gap on league leaders Celtic at the top of the table.

With the exciting winger recently signing a long-term contract at Ibrox, he has plenty of time to pick up more appearances in the years to come.

In other Rangers news, Alan Hutton has made a Gers prediction live on air after what happened against Aberdeen at Hampden Park.