Mark Warburton has today confirmed tomorrow night’s visit of Annan in the League Cup to Ibrox has come too early for star midfielder Joey Barton, but that the former Marseille and Man City man will nevertheless make a cameo later in the game.
Expected to ring the changes, Warburton will be deploying the services of new goalie Matt Gilks, with both of the new summer defensive recruits, Lee Hodson and Clint Hill taking their maiden bows from the start in Govan too.
Second half subs Niko Kranjcar and Josh Windass will also be in the first XI giving Rangers a very different look to the familiar lineup who faced Motherwell on Sunday, but to the slight disappointment of fans, Barton will not be among them, set only for an appearance as one of Warbs’ traditional second-half subs.
He said:
“No (Joey won’t start), he’ll probably get a half hour tomorrow night.”
Those waiting for the dream Rangers midfield of Barton, Kranjcar & Rossiter certainly have to wait a little longer, not least for Rossiter’s return from national team duties with England.
Will be interested to see how the team performs. Personally I am expecting goals and just hope that the referee will give the appropriate protection to the ball players. I would also hope that he is better than Saturday's referee that missed to blatant hand balls that should have seen Motherwell reduced to ten men and we should have had what was a stonewall penalty!
My predicted Rangers strongest starting eleven as the season progresses (back up in brackets).
Gilks (Foderinham)
Hodson (Tavernier)
Hill (Kiernan)
Crooks (Wilson)
Wallace (Thompson)
Barton (Holt)
Rossiter (Halliday?)
Kranjcar (?)
Windass (O'Halloran)
Dodoo (if he signs)(Waghorn)
McKay (Forrester)
Interesting you have all 9 new signings (assuming Dodoo signs) in your starting 11. What happened to Kenny Miller? I'm guessing Warbs is going to take a wait and see approach and let the formation develop over a number of games. There are so many combinations so it's take time.
Definitely a bit presumptive to say all the signings will be an improvement. Waggy out wide in the front 3 is a no brainier for me. Not the greatest striker but strong and good on the ball. We missed his work rate and ability in the latter half of last season.
If this season's centre backs can, unlike Wilson and Kiernan, actually defend, and our holding midfielder does what he's supposed to our defence should be solid enough and Taverniers forward play can help us, much like Hutton's did back in the day and he too was a poor defender.
nope you have 7 players in first team that will be on bench Gilks Hodson hill crooks kranjcar windass Dodoo and don't forget Miller he will at least be on bench this is team for Hamilton game Foderingham, Tavs, Wilson, new CB, Wallace Rossiter, Barton, Forrester, Mckay, O'Halloran, Waghorn, bench, Gilks, Kiernan, Halliday, Kranjcar, Windass, Dodoo, Miller, res hill crooks hodson holt kids + new striker.
You haven't named a striker in your "Hamilton lineup". Waghorn is a good player but not someone who should be playing in the middle. We still need someone reliable to score goals as we can't rely on Waghorn getting 50 penalties this season.
The team is almost there let's see how hill plays tomorrow and who with. Hopefully he'll be a better partner for Wilson you must remember how he played with wier . At the same time Saturday's game was exactly like last season we have all the possession of the ball. But just look a mess in defence but think about it like this we do better players this year hopefully have a better strike force who'll finish more of our chances we create. If we can just get tighter at back could and should be successful season watp
Anybody heard any rumours regarding dirk kuyt ? M8 of mine who predicted Barton signing says he's next ? If so what yous think on his age as ability not in question ?
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