Rangers boss Derek McInnes and Saint-Etienne badge in inset

Derek McInnes Imago

Rangers vs Saint-Etienne preview: Team news, predicted line-up, where to watch

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at Sports Mole and VAVEL; Masters graduate from Liverpool John Moores University. FOCUS Breaking news, long-form analysis, and club-level insight across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Declan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the depth behind the headlines — from breaking news to analytical deep-dives — to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

20 Jul 2026, 8:40 am

Rangers face Saint-Etienne in a significant outing for Derek McInnes on Wednesday.

It will be the 54-year-old's first time managing the Gers at Ibrox after finally taking the job earlier this summer.

It will be an emotional moment for the former Hearts boss as he sits in the home dugout for the first time in charge.

Ibrox News has covered the Light Blues' pre-season preparations so far, which have consisted of behind closed door games.

Now, they are back from their trip to Spain and ready to step up their plans.

The French side are next on the horizon, with the Scottish Premiership finally close to restarting.

How have Rangers performed in pre-season so far?

The Bears played two friendlies in their training camp in La Nucia.

The first was a 1-1 draw with South African side Kaiser Chiefs, with Findlay Curtis scoring their only goal.

The second was a 2-2 draw with Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta'zim in which Tochi Chukwuani notched a double.

They had previously beat Raith Rovers 5-1 and secured a 3-1 win over Dunfermline before heading off to the Iberian Peninsula.

Worrying Ben Godfrey footage emerges from Rangers pre-season training in Spain

Rangers team news for Saint-Etienne clash

There could be several new faces who have not featured in the preparations so far.

New signings Ivor Pandur and Cammy Devlin are set to come into the squad for the contest with the Ligue 1 side.

Thelo Aasgaard should also be back, as he has chosen to cut his 21-day post-World Cup break short.

That gives McInnes options to rotate his side and experiment ahead of the new campaign.

Rangers predicted line-up vs Saint-Etienne

Liam Kelly is likely to start between the sticks, with Pandur coming off the bench at some point.

Dujon Sterling could get the nod at right-back, with Tuur Rommens on the opposite flank, while Ben Godfrey and Emmanuel Fernandez are predicted to line-up at centre-back.

Dan Neil and Chukwuani are expected to continue their partnership at the base of midfield, with Nedim Bajrami ahead of them and Findlay Curtis and Oliver Antman could play on the wings.

Lawrence Shankland has worn the captain's armband in the last two pre-season matches, and he may well do so again while leading the line.