After a more positive performance in the League Cup Quarter-Final, it’s back to league action for Rangers tomorrow. Every game between now and the next Old Firm game is huge and a must win.
Attacking wise it looked much better, at times, midweek. Looking more dangerous and actually scoring goals can’t just happen every now and again though. There now needs to be some consistency when attacking.
Can it continue against Aberdeen? This is probably the perfect time to play them, especially at Ibrox. They currently sit 11th and despite a good showing against Frankfurt, have been incredibly disappointing domestically.
So, here’s my predicted line-up for tomorrows match.
GOALKEEPER
GK – Jack Butland – Unless some awful luck strikes and he gets injured, it looks like he’ll play every game.
DEFENCE
RB – James Tavernier – I thought there was a chance he would be rotated on Wednesday. The fact he wasn’t makes me think that, like Butland, he’ll start every game he’s available.
CBs – Connor Goldson & Ben Davies – Rangers haven’t conceded a goal since Ben Davies came back into the side. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
LB – Ridvan Yilmaz – If he’s fit, he should keep his place. He scored an excellent goal against Livingston but came off with cramp.
With Limassol coming up on Thursday it may make sense to rest Barisic for another game.
MIDFIELD
CM – Ryan Jack – Mr calm and composed. He helps keep the ball ticking over and holds possession well.
Rangers should be dominating the ball tomorrow and he’s the perfect player to sit and make sure we keep it.
CM – John Lundstram – Potentially Rangers most consistent player so far this season? The big man has been solid, particularly defensively.
Hopefully we can see him drive forward more with the ball as it’s something he excels at.
CM – José Cifuentes – I think there’s a good player in Cifuentes. He has good vision and recovers the ball well.
However, he definitely needs more games to get used to the pace and demands of playing for Rangers. Putting out the team won’t help him, he needs to be on the pitch.
FORWARDS
RW – Sam Lammers – It all hasn’t come together yet for Sam Lammers. He’s clearly gifted with the ball at his feet.
However, he needs to turn the ability into goals and assists. He had 8 shots against Motherwell and didn’t score.
Tomorrow represents a chance for his season to properly start.
ST – Cyriel Dessers – With the news that Kemar Roofe is set for a scan. It seems like Dessers will start.
If Roofe has an injury that will keep him out for a while, again, Dessers needs to step up. He needs to show fans he can be the goalscorer we need.
No excuses, he needs to be better and it needs to start tomorrow.
LW – Abdallah Sima – Rangers look more dangerous with pace on the wings. With Matondo injured, Sima is one of the few options that can provide this.
He cause a lot of problems on Wednesday playing from the left. At times he cut inside and others he took the fullback to the byline.
It was a performance he needs to build on and start being consistent in getting goals/assists.
CONCLUSION
Make no mistake about it, Aberdeen have been poor in the league so far this season. That being said, at times they turn it on against Rangers.
This means that Rangers need to come out and dominate from the first minute. Run at them, press them and force them to turn the ball over. It’s what should be happening every week and Wednesday was a good start.
Are you confident of a win tomorrow? What’s your predicted scoreline?
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ICYMI you can read our thoughts on Abdallah Sima’s performance against Livingston here.