Dessers starts, Cerny axed in seven changes – Rangers XI confirmed v Motherwell
Philippe Clement has made seven changes to his Rangers starting line-up to face Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday.
Leon Balogun has dropped out of the first XI after picking up an injury in the 2-1 defeat against St. Mirren on Boxing Day (Thursday, 26 December).
The front four of Hamza Igamane, Ianis Hagi, Nedim Bajrami and Vaclav Cerny have been axed after failing to impress in Paisley, while Connor Barron and Jefte also have a similar fate.
That means Robin Propper, Ridvan Yilmaz, Nicolas Raskin, Kieran Dowell, Oscar Cortes, Danilo and Cyriel Dessers have all come into the line-up to face Motherwell.
Philippe Clement makes wholesale changes in Motherwell v Rangers
Jack Butland continues in goal, Propper and Dujon Sterling playing ahead of him. James Tavernier and Yilmaz, meanwhile, play as full-backs.
Mohamed Diomande plays alongside Raskin in the double pivot. Dowell, Cortes and Danilo will occupy advanced attacking roles after Clement made wholesale changes to his attack.
Meanwhile, Dessers has been handed his first league start since the 1-1 draw against Dundee United on 23 November.
The Gers’ hopes of a comeback in the title race suffered a crushing blow when they lost 2-1 to St. Mirren.
Table-toppers Celtic now boast a 12-point lead over them and are on course to win the title without much trouble.
Clement’s side cannot afford to lose anymore points if they want to keep the candle of hope alive, meaning there is no room for error at Fir Park.
As David Edgar said, Rangers must avoid any “nonsense” on Sunday.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have been accused of playing the victim as the next Ibrox casualty is mooted.
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