Rangers predicted XI vs St Mirren: Bojan Miovski starts, Djeidi Gassama axed in six changes
Derek McInnes may not admit it, but he has to be feeling the heat at Ibrox already this season.
With no wins from his first four competitive games in charge and his side now out of the Europa League, he needs a win from anywhere right now.
That could come this weekend in the League Cup, as Rangers look to lift this piece of silverware for the first time since the 2023-24 season.
Craig McLeish's side won't be any pushovers though, as they've lost just once in their last 10 competitive games dating back to May this year.
So, ahead of Sunday's 4pm kick-off in Govan, Ibrox News tries to go inside McInnes' mind and predict how he'll line his Bears side up to face the Buddies.
Derek McInnes makes two defensive changes for Rangers vs St Mirren
Typically, a League Cup tie such as this one would see McInnes field practically an entirely rotated starting XI.
However, he's under huge pressure to find his first win ASAP, and so fielding a significantly weakened side would be a major gamble.
Sticking with a 3-5-2 approach, we're tipping Liam Kelly to replace Ivor Pandur in goal, with the Croatian not enjoying a great start to life at Ibrox.
As for the three centre-backs, McInnes isn't blessed with depth here for rotation purposes, and that's not been aided by Ben Godfrey's injury either.
Olwethu Makhanya has played well since signing, and should keep his place as the left-sided central defender.
On the right side, Dujon Sterling should retain his starting spot from Jagiellonia, but we do think Emmanuel Fernandez will be rested this weekend.
The 24-year-old has played the full 90 minutes in all four competitive games of 2026-27 so far, and it's vital he doesn't pick up an injury any time soon.
As such, this could be an opportune chance to try and put John Souttar in the shop window, as Rangers struggle to drum up interest in the 29-year-old.
It's been widely reported that he's a player Gers want to move on this summer, and a good performance on Sunday may help potential buying clubs make their move.
So, with two changes at the back, will McInnes juggle his midfield department around against St Mirren?
McInnes to hand first 2026-27 minutes to midfielder
Five substitutions were made by McInnes against Jagiellonia, and four of those were to his midfield.
It's an area of the pitch where the 55-year-old doesn't seem to know his best unit at present, and we're expecting him to make changes again on Sunday.
Down the right, we think Daisuke Yokota will keep his place from Jagiellonia, as he continues to hunt his first Rangers goal contribution.
However, we think the Japanese winger will be one of only two Gers midfielders who started against Jagiellonia to retain their places against St Mirren.
On the left, Djeidi Gassama could be axed in favour of Findlay Curtis, with the 19-year-old now surely on the verge of winning a starting spot full-time.
Across the midfield three, Dan Neil is the other Jagiellonia starter who we think will be in the XI on Sunday, as he looks to grow into his role in Gers' side.
Meanwhile, Thelo Aasgaard was hooked at half-time on Thursday night, and we think Vanja Dragojevic will be given another opportunity after some disappointing early performances.
Nicolas Raskin will also likely drop to the bench this weekend, and that can present Connor Barron with the chance to play his first minutes of the 2026-27 season.
The 23-year-old returned to the Rangers matchday squad against Jagiellonia, and McInnes will surely want to take a look at him ahead of a potential pre-deadline transfer decision.
Now we've just got the two strikers to sort out, and we're backing McInnes to make alterations to his forward line as well.
McInnes to make brave striker call vs St Mirren
On Thursday night, Lawrence Shankland finally opened his Rangers goalscoring account against Jagiellonia.
However, the 31-year-old has played three 90 minutes out of the first four competitive games, and is a player that Gers must ensure stays fresh.
Because of that, Sunday feels like a smart, albeit risky, time to drop Shankland and allow Bojan Miovski to stake his claim under McInnes.
The North Macedonian international played his first 15 minutes of the new season on Thursday night, and amid Youssef Chermiti's injury, could be a player Rangers now need to keep.
Alongside him, Ryan Naderi played 75 minutes against Jagiellonia and should keep his place this weekend.
Gers could really do with him bursting into goalscoring life right now, and a good performance against St Mirren could be the catalyst for that.