The concluding game of Glasgow Rangers’ 2023 Scottish Premiership season will take place on Wednesday night at Ibrox when they welcome Ross County.
Before their Old Firm matchup with Celtic this weekend, the Light Blues will be hoping to make it seven wins in a row. They have won their past six top-flight games.
After defeating Motherwell 2-0 on Christmas Eve, Philippe Clement’s team enters this match having won quite easily away from Glasgow.
The Scottish powerhouses secured all three points with goals from Kieran Dowell and Todd Cantwell early in the first half, and the Belgian head coach may decide to switch up his starting lineup with two games in rapid succession.
In light of that, the following is FFC’s projected starting lineup for the Rangers on Wednesday night at Ibrox versus Ross County…
Jack Butland
Jack Butland should be back in the starting lineup. In his 18 league games since leaving Crystal Palace in the summer, he has already amassed 12 clean sheets.
The 30-year-old giant has been a formidable force for opposing players to send the ball past, as evidenced by his excellent save rate of 81%.
James Tavernier
James Tavernier, the captain and lucky charm, ought to start at right-back. In his first eighteen Premier League starts for the Gers this season, the English star has amassed nine goals and five assists.
The captain and kicker for Rangers, he will be looking to close the gap with the Hoops and win the Premiership for the second time in his career in 2024.
John Souttar
John Souttar might start in place of Connor Goldson, who took a knock late in the match on Sunday, as the first alteration to the starting lineup.
The Scotland international might start on the right of the center-back combination against Celtic since Clement might not want to take a chance on the former Brighton colossus before the match.
This season, Souttar has started eight Premiership games and shown off his formidable defensive abilities. Over the course of his 10 appearances, he has won an impressive 84% of his ground duels and 70% of his aerial clashes.
The former Hearts star is more than a capable replacement for Goldson and is a reliable player at the back for the Gers, as demonstrated by his remarkable physical attributes.
Leon Balogun
Leon Balogun should continue to play at the defense alongside Souttar following a fantastic performance against Motherwell the previous game. He was Clement’s unsung hero of the day for his outstanding defense play.
Ridvan Yilmaz
After a strong performance the previous time out, Ridvan Yilmaz, a Turkey international, should start at left back once more. In his ninety minutes on the field, he made four interceptions and produced one opportunity.
If the former Besiktas player is able to string together a series of strong performances to secure the number three spot going ahead, Borna Barisic may be in jeopardy.
Leon King
Leon King, an academy product, might start the game as Clement makes a second change to his starting lineup at the base of the midfield.
The Belgian head coach may start the recent graduate of the youth squad in place of John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, and Nicolas Raskin in order to minimize weariness.
King, a defensive midfielder by trade, came off the bench against Ross County and was a great centre-back who could act as a shield in front of the back four.
Because of his natural ability as a central defender, he may also be able to drop into a back three when necessary to handle transitions well and provide the full-backs enough protection to run the middle of the pitch.
Kieran Dowell
Kieran Dowell, who made just his third league start of the season on Sunday, might start in midfield once more following his outstanding performance.
With a well-executed one-two with Cyriel Dessers following his initial press, the summer acquisition from Norwich City opened the score. He took a touch before blasting into the roof of the net.
Todd Cantwell
To complete the midfield trio, Todd Cantwell, a former Norwich playmaker, may be positioned right in front of King and next to Dowell.
The English wizard nearly added a second goal last weekend with a rasping shot that was deflected onto the crossbar. The first goal was scored by the Englishman thanks to an assist from Abdallah Sima.
Rabbi Matondo
The third and last alteration to the starting lineup might see Rabbi Matondo go out right away in front of rookie Ross McCausland.
Although McCausland did not have his finest game in a Gers shirt the previous time out, Clement might insert the Wales international as part of a squad rotation to make sure his team is rested and ready to play again.
In seventy-two minutes, the Northern Ireland international produced one chance on the right wing and completed just 57% of his passes.
Despite making three starts this season, Matondo, who was once praised for his “electrifying” pace by former coach Ryan Giggs, has only managed one goal and two assists in the Premiership.
After McCausland found it difficult to do so on Sunday, the quick winger could use his quickness and direct play to open up opportunities for his fellow attackers in the final third.
Cyriel Dessers
Given the lack of depth the manager now has at his position, Dessers could maintain his spot at the top of the pitch.
With Kemar Roofe and Danilo missing on Sunday, Rangers did not have a natural striker on the bench, which may allow the Nigerian international to make a comeback.
Abdallah Sima
Sima, a loanee from Brighton & Hove Albion, could finally finish the assault on the left. Since coming during the summer on a temporary basis, he has been in excellent condition.
The Senegal international can pose a serious goal threat from the wing having scored nine goals and sent out two assists in 13 Premiership starts for the Light Blues thus far this season.
