The jury is still out on Philippe Clement as his Rangers side face its latest trial under the lights against Kilmarnock.
The Light Blues once again produced the goods on the Europa League stage with a stunning 4-1 win on the road at Nice and followed that up with a scrappy 1-0 victory at St Johnstone. A win is a win for the Belgian at this stage and he will be desperate to make it three on the trot when Derek McInnes’ men come calling at Ibrox. Consistency has been the hot topic of discussion thrown the way of the Rangers boss and he can keep silencing his critics with another three points.
Not only that, but with the AGM just 24 hours away – a defeat is unthinkable ahead of what will no doubt be a heated meeting as supporters get ready to grill the board and try get the answers they want to all the big questions. Speaking of big questions needing answers, the main one for the men from Govan is GOALS.
Incredibly, Rangers have found the net just 18 times in 13 league outings. To put that into context, rivals Celtic have scored 40 while Aberdeen have 29 – 11 more than the Gers. Dundee, Dundee United and St Mirren also boast better scoring records than Clement and his troops and that throws up a big issue in its own.
Hamza Igamane impressed on French soil on his European debut for the club with a deadly double. Cyriel Dessers – who has often been the go to, more by necessity than choice – climbed off the bench and missed a sitter. It is a common theme in his game and while his numbers are relatively solid, his tally should be well north of where it sits. Danilo is also back fit meaning competition for places and food for thought for Clement as he bids to find a way to solve the low scoring totals.
Elsewhere, Robin Propper was replaced at McDiarmid Park and decisions will be made over him. Neraysho Kasanwirjo is out for six months and with Dujon Sterling a doubt, skipper James Tavernier is likely to retain his spot in the XI after finding himself in and out in recent times. Tom Lawrence is doing individual training and wings Rabbi Matondo and Oscar Cortes are involved in some elements on Auchenhowie as they edge closer to returns, but this one comes too close.
Rangers’ predicted XI to face Kilmarnock at Ibrox
Rangers squad in full
Goalkeepers
- Jack Butland
- Liam Kelly
Defenders
- James Tavernier
- Jefte
- Robin Propper
- John Souttar
- Leon Balogun
- Ridvan Yilmaz
- Leon King
- Dujon Sterling
Midfielders
- Connor Barron
- Nico Raskin
- Mohamed Diomande
- Nedim Bajrami
- Vaclav Cerny
- Ross McCausland
- Kieran Dowell
Attackers
- Hamza Igamane
- Danilo
- Cyriel Dessers