Ridvan and Dessers start: predicted Rangers XI v Motherwell

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Ridvan and Dessers start: predicted Rangers XI v Motherwell
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Cyriel Dessers of Rangers celebrates after he scores his team's fourth goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Heart of Midlothian at Ibrox Stadium on February 24, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

So we know there’s no Oscar Cortes today, but Rangers are also missing another six in Kieran Dowell, Rabbi Matondo, Abdallah Sima, Todd Cantwell, Danilo and Alex Lowry.

Ibrox Noise sifts through this and sees what XI manager Philippe Clement is likely to select to face Stuart Kettlewell’s side:

Goals, obvious.

Defence?

Tavernier and Goldson of course, Souttar next to Goldson, and surely Ridvan at LB. Borna was abysmal at Killie, and if he keeps his place we’d be stunned. And so would the Turk.

Midfield will likely see Lundstram continue, despite his poor performance at Rugby Park. He’s allowed the odd dip.

Partnering him? Diomande already seems to be a favourite, and Clement’s preferred pick there, and despite his rather poor trip to Rugby Park (which we warned against) we don’t see any reason for him not to play.

In the attacking quadrant things get a little trickier. Or not, depending how you look at it.

There’s only one playmaker fit in Tom Lawrence, and even he is being minute-managed, while Sterling, McCausland and Wright are literally all we have for the flanks.

Up front surely Dessers will regain his place – he’s by far Scotland’s most in-form striker right now.

So your predicted Ibrox Noise XI:

Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Ridvan; Lundstram, Diomande; Sterling, Lawrence, McCausland; Dessers.

Bench seems to be:

McCrorie, Balogun, Davies, Barisic, Raskin, Jack, Roofe, Wright, Silva

We’d not pick either Wright or McCausland but Clement doesn’t have that luxury.

If this is not the XI he goes with we’d be very interested to see what is…

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