Updated Rangers predicted XI vs Celtic: Rare start handed out after Derek McInnes injury bombshell

Derek McInnes could be forced into making a change to his Rangers starting line-up against Celtic.

Rangers comfortably beat Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox last weekend in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.

On the basis of the best performance of the season to date, McInnes no doubt would have liked to have kept things the same.

But that is not likely to happen now following an update shared by the Gers boss at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

Ryan Naderi is a major doubt for Rangers with an ankle injury sustained in last week's match following a challenge from Mika Baur.

That may now force a rethink in attack, assuming Naderi is not deemed fit enough to feature - at least not from the off.

Who could replace Ryan Naderi in Rangers XI vs Celtic?

Ibrox News predicted McInnes to make a change against Celtic with our expected XI earlier this week.

Cammy Devlin was tipped to come into central midfield, possibly at the expense of Kevin Kelsy.

That would give Rangers an extra body in midfield, even if two up top did work well last time out.

Well McInnes' hand may well now be forced. If Naderi is out, it may well be that Kelsy is given the nod to start again up top.

There is then the option of bringing in Bojan Miovski if McInnes is feeling brave, or more likely moving Minsu Kim into a more central position.

That would free up a spot on the right for Badredine Bouanani in what would be just his second start since arriving.

Any other changes for McInnes?

Naderi missing out would change things a fair bit for McInnes in terms of how he lays his team out in attack.

If Kim, Bouanani and Kelsy do indeed start, Djeidi Gassama is almost certain to be used on the left.

Ivor Pandur, Dujon Sterling, Olwethu Makhanya, Emmanuel Fernandez and James Penrice would retain their places in a solid-looking back five.

Nicolas Raskin and stand-in skipper Dan Neil may then be positioned in front of the defence once again after performing so well last time out.

It is not ideal, but McInnes does at least have the options to cope with this latest injury blow.

Rangers predicted XI vs Celtic: Pandur; Sterling, Makhanya, Fernandez, Penrice; Neil, Raskin; Bouanani, Kim, Gassama; Kelsy.