Massive headache for Rangers v Saints – two key absences

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Massive headache for Rangers v Saints – two key absences

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha has a bit of a problem on his hands for the trip to McDiarmid Park on the 13th – thus far in every match Rangers have played both pre-season and since the competitive stuff started in earnest in July, one man has been an absolute mainstay of the first team and arguably the first name on the shirt, without missing a single match.

Ryan Jack was Pedro’s highest-priority signing and the first confirmed recruit of the summer window, with the hype around his arrival reaching fever points before it was confirmed, much to the predictable chagrin of both Aberdeen (who now despise him) and the rest of the SPL (who always hate Rangers).

Unfortunately Jack got himself sent off for a second yellow against Hamilton, and with no appeal possible Rangers will have to take the field against Tommy Wright’s men without him in the XI for the first time this competitive season.

Normally we would look to the bench and take the organic replacement in the form of plucky Jordan Rossiter, but the Scouser himself continues to be sidelined for the time being with a knee problem, as confirmed by Pedro on the 18th of last month. To quote the Portuguese, Rossiter is ‘not in our options’.

It is possible the ex-Liverpool man could be fit in 10 days but those chances are extremely remote and the likelihood is Pedro Caixinha will have no available DM for the now-massive clash with fourth-placed Saints.

This is the latest ‘must win’ fixture for Rangers but this one is even more significant as it is arguably against a top-three rival and Rangers have to prove their intentions to at least contend for second by putting away the Perth side.

But who anchors midfield?

Could Pedro be looking at a change in formation for this match to compensate the loss of Jack and Rossiter? With no proper defensive midfielder available the defence will be more vulnerable than normal, and someone is going to have to fill in – does it fall to Graham Dorrans, who as we have complained about, has played far deeper than he should have been thus far.

It may be that it becomes necessary for the ex-Norwich midfielder to fill in there – or could Jason Holt finally earn his start from the cold that has been getting teased for the past few matches?

We must admit there is no obvious solution to this one, and Caixinha really does have a problem on his hands. If ever his managerial skills were to be tested, this is it.

Our personal call would be Holt. It is far from ideal, and he is not a DM, but he did do a good job there beside Jon Toral (remember him) against Hamilton for Pedro’s debut.

But we are glad it is not our decision to make.

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9 COMMENTS

  1. Barjonas is ready and deserves his chance. I'd play him, Dorrans and Holt in a central 3 with Windass and Candeias wide and Morelos up top.

  2. If alves is bck then I'd put him bck in to central defence n put ross mcrorie in there I believe he's played there before a bit of guts n steel in ther.

  3. this position,mid-field without Ryan Jack,is a big loss,was hoping one day Rossiter,would be their but he is not,injured as usual(should get rid of him).
    technically,we DONT have a good defensive back up,sooooo some how we will have push very hard forward wise,try and keep St.Johnstone in their half as much as possible,CANT see that happening either…though for sure,i would give Nemane the chance for that reason… i would also start kenny Miller.If Ross McRorie has played mid-field,i would certainly bring him into that position for this game and have Alves as centre back….

  4. Send Rossitter away tae fuckin.

    His sickness /absence record is equivalent to the North Lanarkshire Council Housing Managers of absenteeism 😁

    • Where were we five years ago?? Its not about Rangers men running the club or playing for the club. If it was you wouldn't have hounded Halliday out.

  5. Definitely don't start with Windass! Give Nemane an outing and play Holt. Would be interesting to see if Mcrorie can play DM. Mon the Gers.

  6. OMG This is a no brainer McCorie steps 4 yards further up the park.
    When O When are we going to see this flying machine from MC actually flying?? Love pace on the wing me!!!

    Mike Ashley selling Newcastle for 400M after just walking away from sponsership deal with Rangers after meeting King (Not a penny compo)
    All a bit strange for me.
    He's either just walking away from football or looking for a club that will get him CL football!??

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