Rangers: Kris Boyd names changes he’d make vs Hearts, it’s ‘huge’ for Nicolas Raskin
Rangers boss Danny Rohl should consider making a couple of changes to his starting line-up for Monday’s clash with Hearts.
That is the view of Kris Boyd, who thinks tweaks are necessary on the back of last week’s damaging defeat to Motherwell.
Rangers were beaten 3-2 at Ibrox and now find themselves four points behind leaders Hearts ahead of their must-win trip to Tynecastle.
Too many players failed to turn up against Motherwell, but Boyd would steer clear of mass changes in Edinburgh.
Rohl certainly has some big calls to make, with Boyd sharing his verdict ahead of the showdown at Tynecastle.
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Kris Boyd highlights importance of Nicolas Raskin vs Hearts
Nicolas Raskin‘s importance to Rangers is well-documented. If the Belgium international fails to turn up, chances are the Gers will not win.
Raskin has talked up the importance of beating Hearts, accepting that anything other than victory will spell the end of the campaign for his side.
| Raskin for Rangers this season in SPFL | Total |
| Duel success | 54% |
| Possession lost per game | 12.3 |
| Fouls per game | 2.0 |
And Boyd believes it is important a third central midfielder is slotted in alongside Raskin and likely Tochi Chukwuani, even if the latter was particularly poor last week.
Writing for The Scottish Sun, Boyd said he would go with either Connor Barron or Mohamed Diomande as the third option, with Bojan Miovski then making way.
Boyd added: “Raskin is about to head to the World Cup with Belgium, and he needs to deliver in what is a massive clash for Gers.
“I played with guys who came alive when it reached the crunch point in title battles and that’s what Rohl needs from his key men.
“Raskin could be given the freedom to roam forward if Rohl goes with a midfield three, and this is a huge game for him personally.”Boyd would also start Mikey Moore up top, with the young forward being deemed not ready to play a full 90 minutes of late.
Why Youssef Chermiti should be first name on teamsheet vs Hearts
Moore alongside Youssef Chermiti in attack makes sense, with the latter showing his pedigree in the big games this season.
Indeed, the former Everton player has scored exactly a third of his Scottish Premiership goals to date in games against Hearts (4/12).
The last Gers player to score five league goals against a single opponent in a season was Fashion Sakala against Motherwell in 2021-22.
The last player for any club to score five times in a league season against Hearts, meanwhile, was Scott Sinclair in 2016-17.
Rohl will be desperate for more of the same on what is a truly massive day for Rangers.
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