We haven’t done a ‘predicted XI’ for many weeks on Ibrox Noise, because manager Philippe Clement seems to get the best from the team no matter what XI he puts out.
The chosen XI seems to be less important nowadays for Rangers, and that is the vision PC had, a vision of having a big squad and not really having a preferred XI overall.
Rotation rotation rotation.
And let’s face it, it’s evidently working, even if James Tavernier and Connor Goldson seem less vulnerable to the personnel switching, so it’s hard to have any complaints.
That said, Ibrox Noise is still going to go, for the first time in a while, for a prediction today.
Without further ado:
Goals is easy, Butland.
Defence will be Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar and Ridvan.
Midfield will be Lundstram and this is where it gets harder to pick…
His partner is likely one of Sterling and Raskin – the former has been outstanding but has also missed a bit of football lately with injury, while Raskin has been utterly poor but Clement likes him. Jack is confirmed absent. There’s also a case that Diomande could play here.
Attacking midfield…
Could Cortes start again? We hope so. Cantwell could play in the 10 slot, but there’s a case also for Diomande, while Lawrence should be involved in this one. McCausland is a topic of debate in the press which puts him at centre of attention, while Matondo is coming onto a game now and looking sharper.
Up front it’s got to be Dessers given he’s on media duties today and Silva didn’t shine at all v Ayr.
So your Ibrox Noise predicted XI (almost certainly wrong):
Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Ridvan; Lundstram, Sterling; Cortes, Cantwell, McCausland; Dessers
We’re torn with a few selections here – Matondo is looking bright, and Raskin is popular with the boss, while Diomande still needs to get up to speed. We don’t think Balogun is quite ready to start again, and Barisic is surely Ridvan’s deputy now.
But McCausland is a favourite, and Silva didn’t sparkle v Ayr.
End of the day, we simply hope tonight’s chosen XI and subs if needed do the job we need them to do and we’re top of the table.