Todd Cantwell dropped as Philippe Clement makes two changes from Viaplay Cup triumph – Predicted Rangers XI v St Johnstone
Rangers have little time to celebrate their Viaplay Cup success as they are back in Scottish Premiership action three days on against St Johnstone at Ibrox.
The Gers defeated Aberdeen 1-0 at Hampden Park on Sunday (17 December) through James Tavernier’s second-half strike to earn their first silverware of the season.
It was double joy for the Light Blues as Celtic were beaten 2-0 by Hearts over the weekend, meaning the gap on the league leaders is just five points with two games in hand to play.
Making Rangers’ unbeaten start under Philippe Clement all the more impressive is that he has had to make do without a number of players due to injury and suspension.
There are no fresh injury concerns on the back of the Aberdeen match, so changes may therefore be few and far between for Wednesday’s (20 December) visit of St Johnstone.
Jack Butland looks certain to start in goal, with a back four comprising of Tavernier, Conor Goldson, Leon Balogun and Borna Barisic.
Jose Cifuentes serves the second of his two-match domestic ban, while the likes of Nico Raskin, Ryan Jack and Tom Lawrence are nursing injuries, so Dujon Sterling could retain his place in the engine room alongside John Lundstram.
Clement has the option of rotating further up the field, with Scott Wright, Sam Lammers and Kemar Roofe – all second-half substitutes against Aberdeen – pushing for inclusion.
Todd Cantwell has either scored or assisted in just one of his past seven outings, and this game may well present a chance to give him another breather.
Should that be the case, Lammers will be the favourite to get the nod alongside Abdallah Sima and just off Cyriel Dessers, while Rabbi Matondo is an option to come in for Ross McCausland if Clement wishes to further freshen things up.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist said he had “no idea” what Michael Beale was referring to with comments made at his Sunderland unveiling.