Predicted XI – early projection under Stevie Ger of new Rangers

With Steven Gerrard’s summer business at Ibrox well and truly deep into action, it is now worth a very premature look at what kind of XI the new manager may be looking at.

What players will make the cut of the existing squad? Which new signings are dead certs to start? What formation will Stevie favour?

We know the new XI will be one heck of an upgrade over the current one, so Ibrox Noise gives some wild conjecture about a possible starting eleven for the new era:

Goals:

Allan McGregor. Easy one. There’s no competition. Nuff said.

Fullbacks:

Doubts persist over the future of James Tavernier, with Rangers said to be open to offers, but the other side is surely Declan John’s slot to lose. Otherwise there’s Lee Hodson and Lee Wallace, both of whom appear surplus.

Centre backs:

Martin Skrtel and one of Bruno Alves, Reece Burke, Connor Goldson, Kyle Bartley and Fabio Cardoso. Fans appear to be favouring Bartley albeit nothing from the club yet about interest in the Swansea stopper.

Central midfield:
Rangers haven’t yet secured anyone new for this area of the pitch, nor have they even been heavily linked with anyone beyond Lazio’s Lucas Leiva. For now it’s Ross McCrorie, Jason Holt, a fit again Ryan Jack, and Greg Docherty.

Attacking midfield:

Scott Arfield and Jamie Murphy are the two Gerrard men. They will be prominent under the new manager. Daniel Candeias of course remains at the club, while Harry Wilson and Oliver McBurnie are said to be close.

Attack:

All three of Morelos, Cummings and Herrera are either leaving or close to, and it appears Stevie Ger is looking at Jermain Defoe as one major recruit.

So, a very, very early projection of a 4-3-3:

McGregor, xx, Skrtel, Bartley, John; Docherty, McCrorie, Arfield; Wilson, McBurnie, Defoe

It clearly needs more work and more balancing but several formations are possible here and defence already looks heaps better.

But it’s early days and there will be further incoming.