Rangers confirmed XI v Hearts – Connor Goldson and Fabio Silva axed by Philippe Clement
Philippe Clement has dropped Connor Goldson and Fabio Silva from his Rangers starting XI to face Hearts at Hampden Park.
In his confirmed line-up Kemar Roofe is also axed along with Tom Lawrence as the Belgian makes major changes following the disappointing goalless draw at Dundee.
Leon Balogun replaces Goldson while Rabbi Matondo takes Silva’s place, with Mohamed Diomande coming into the midfield after thumb surgery and Cyriel Dessers up front.
Jack Butland starts in goal, with James Tavernier and John Souttar in defence, while Ridvan Yilmaz is still not back so Dujon Sterling starts at left-back.
Diomande is joined by John Lundstram in midfield, who might consider himself lucky to keep his place as well, while Abdallah Sima and Todd Cantwell round out the attack with Matondo and Dessers.
Goldson has been well below his best for some weeks and has now paid the price for a collective failing in defence this month after six goals were conceded to Celtic and Ross County in consecutive outings, while Silva’s impact has wained significantly from a strong run of form earlier in 2024.
Clement had to respond to his side’s dramatic dip in form, and despite defending his players in the wake of the goalless draw at Dens Park [The National, 17 April] he has shown what he really felt by making so many changes, and is right to do so.
Philippe Clement must have Rangers reaction after Ross County and Dundee flops
The Light Blues may have an excellent record against Hearts, especially at Hampden, but recent performances suggest that may be at risk in the latest meeting.
Having dropped 10 of the past 15 points on offer in the SPFL to hand the title initiative back to Celtic this semi-final represents the more likely route to further silverware this season.
Adding the Scottish Cup to the Viaplay Cup won in December may represent a reasonably-impressive return for Clement given the situation he arrived to but it won’t be considered a success for Rangers a whole.
And, having marched through January and February looking unstoppable the wheels are threatening to fall off at Ibrox, so safe passage into a cup final clash to face Brendan Rodgers’ side is a must.
Lawrence Shankland, for so long considered a possible answer to the deficiencies in the Light Blues attacking ranks, represents a major threat to a defence which has fallen apart in recent weeks and will have to be kept in check.
But there may be renewed hopes of doing so with Balogun brought in after Goldson’s struggles this term.
In other Rangers news, 15 players may now be on the way out as part of a “huge” clear out by Clement.
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