Rangers head into their second fixture of the new Premiership season looking to make it two wins out of two, but manager Steven Gerrard will be without several key players for their trip to Tannadice.
Both Ianis Hagi and Joe Aribo missed the Gers’ midweek defeat to Swedish outfit Malmo in the first leg of their Champions League third-round qualifier through injury, and the pair are expected to remain on the treatment table in today’s early kick-off.
Alfredo Morelos is set to join them on the sidelines as he searches for match fitness following his return from Colombia, while key midfielder Ryan Jack is still a few weeks away from a return to action.
“We will be without Ianis Hagi. Roofe is available to return to the group. Kamara will return to the squad. Morelos is available but he will need a couple of sessions on his return. Ryan Jack will be another couple of weeks all being well,” Gerrard revealed in yesterday’s press conference.
The positive news surrounding Kemar Roofe and Glen Kamara, who also missed Tuesday night’s defeat through European bans rather than fitness concerns, will be a big positive for Gerrard, though.
With that in mind, we take a look at how the Gers could line up against Dundee United this afternoon, with three changes from the midweek defeat in Sweden…
Gerrard looks set to rotate his goalkeepers between domestic and European games, so Jon McLaughlin should come back into the starting XI for this one.
The back four is likely to remain unchanged from Rangers’ midweek exploits, although there’s expected to be some alterations in the middle of the park.
Kamara will almost certainly return from the off against the Tangerines, leading to Steven Davis taking a place on the bench, with the ageing £18k-per-week maestro unlikely to be able to play two games in such quick succession.
Summer signing John Lundstram and experienced campaigner Scott Arfield should complete the Rangers engine room.
In attack, Ryan Kent is likely to be accompanied by former Aberdeen winger Scott Wright after the 23-year-old made a fast start to life at Ibrox with a goal against Livingston, and the returning Roofe could get the nod over Cedric Itten and Fashion Sakala up front.
In other news… “Rangers would like to bring him in” – Exclusive: Michael Ball drops big Gers transfer claim
