It’s the one Glasgow Rangers have been waiting for, with Sunday providing a mouthwatering top-of-the-table Premiership clash at Ibrox.
Following the midweek disappointment at Fir Park, having failed to see the game out against ten men, the Gers need to round off the week on a positive front, or risk this title bid drifting away from them.
With five points currently separating the two sides at the summit, there is a sense that this is a case of win or bust for Danny Rohl‘s men, having so far built up so much positive momentum under the German tactician.
Following an extensive window of recruitment in January, there are now plenty of options at Rohl’s disposal heading into Sunday’s meeting, with lessons needing to have been learned from Wednesday’s frustrating 1-1 draw.
What went wrong for Rangers vs Motherwell
Eyebrows were raised when the lineups were announced ahead of the midweek matchup, with Rohl opting to leave three of his four new faces on the bench, with Tochi Chukwuani the only winter arrival to retain his place in the side.
Indeed, the likes of Andreas Skov Olsen and Tuur Rommens didn’t even make it onto the pitch at all, despite Rangers having held a narrow lead for much of the contest, with the visitors ultimately failing to see the game out against a spirited Motherwell side
In truth, it was the high-flying hosts who dominated much of the contest, having posed a threat even after Lukas Fadinger’s late dismissal, resulting in Stephen Welsh’s last-gasp equaliser.
The Light Blues had earlier missed the chance to extend their lead, with Youssef Chermiti firing straight at Calum Ward in the first half, while Rohl’s pragmatic substitutions also seemingly backfired, after introducing an extra centre-back in Emmanuel Fernandez, rather than seeking to kill the game off.
Whether the ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss had one eye on the Hearts fixture or not, Wednesday’s disappointment was his first real step backwards since replacing Russell Martin, having not helped matters with his post-match comments regarding taking the point.
The 36-year-old – who has been coy on team news in recent days – shuffled his pack for that most recent outing, with it likely that he’ll do so again as Derek McInnes’ men head to Ibrox.
The changes Rangers could make for Hearts clash
As stated above, Rohl hasn’t exactly been forthcoming regarding the latest on the fitness of his squad, albeit with the likes of Connor Barron and Max Aarons still set to be sidelined for the foreseeable.
Related
Rohl must bench Rangers flop who was even worse than Souttar
Rangers’ title hopes were dealt a significant blow against ten-man Motherwell on Wednesday night.
Provided those who were involved on Wednesday are still fit and available, there could be a string of notable tactical changes on Sunday, starting in the backline.
Experienced goalkeeper Jack Butland will undoubtedly retain his place, although at centre-back, the aforementioned Fernandez is likely to return, with the five-goal star having blossomed into a key figure under the Rohl regime.
Who starts alongside him is up for debate, although with Nasser Djiga having been the “best player on the pitch” last time out, in the view of analyst Kai Watson, he could get the nod over John Souttar.
At full-back, new man Rommens could well come in for Jayden Meghoma as the second alteration on the left, although, despite calls for Dujon Sterling to start on the right, surely Rohl will keep faith with the club’s leading scorer and skipper, James Tavernier, not least due to his set-piece genius.
There is a need to find that balance between taking the game to the away side, but also respecting their quality, ensuring the Gers boss could continue with a more balanced three-man midfield of Chukwuani, Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande, with the latter man providing the assist for Raskin in midweek.
With no tweaks in the centre of the park, a bigger call could lie out wide, as now could be the time to unleash Skov Olsen in place of Djeidi Gassama on the right.
The young Frenchman is a firm Rohl favourite, although after a dismal midweek display in which he racked up just 21 touches in 74 minutes, a change must surely be in order this time around.
With teenage sensation, Mikey Moore, still the preferred pick off the left, even after his own muted display in midweek, the fourth and final alteration could come at centre-forward, with Chermiti needing to make way after firing a blank on Wednesday.
Rangers Predicted XI vs Hearts
Position
Player
GK
Butland
RB
Tavernier
CB
Fernandez
CB
Djiga
LB
Rommens
CM
Raskin
CM
Chukwuani
RM
Skov Olsen
AM
Diomande
LM
Moore
ST
Miovski
The derby hero has deadline day arrival, Ryan Naderi to replace him, although it might be too soon to thrust the 22-year-old into a game of such magnitude, not least considering he started on the bench against the Steelmen due to a slight injury issue.
With Naderi’s inclusion something of a gamble, even after netting twice against Queen’s Park last weekend, Rohl could favour the tried and tested option of Bojan Miovski, with the polarising Macedonian still the club’s second top scorer this season with ten goals in all competitions.
That would be an unpopular call, but this seems like a game too soon to chuck young Naderi into the mix.
Related
Rangers could see bid accepted to sign the next Steven Naismith at Ibrox
Rangers may already have one eye on the summer transfer window.