Predicted Rangers Lineup To Face Motherwell On The Opening Day
Despite the disappointment of their Europa League exit to Progres Niederkorn, Rangers’ preparations for this coming Scottish Premiership season have gone swimmingly with some excellent new signings eventually gelling together.
Recent friendly results have been superb – a home draw with Marseille then followed up by wins at Watford and Sheffield Wednesday, to give fans the hope of a much improved display in the league this year. Celtic’s stop spot is the ambitious target, though usurping Aberdeen from second place could be the first on the agenda.
Pedro Caixinha may go with a 4-3-3 formation for the most part and if he starts that way at Fir Park, his team may look something like this:
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Pedro Caixinha
GK – Wes Foderingham
The ‘keeper looks like he will retain his place in the starting XI and another solid season could be on the cards.
RB – Lee Hodson
If Tavernier does not recover from his injury then the Northern Irishman may deputise again.
CB – Fabio Cardoso
The 23-year-old Portuguese looks like a real star and should start his first league game here.
CB – Bruno Alves
The old timer may eventually give way to emerging talents such as Bates, but he will most likely play the Old Firm games and needs to start the season here to help get things off to a good start.
LB – Lee Wallace
He has very rarely let Rangers down and at 29 years of age, he has tons of experience. An important player.
CM – Josh Windass
May have a resurgence under this manager as he has impressed in pre-season. An interesting player among the array of new signings.
CM – Ryan Jack
Part of what is now a very exciting central midfield partnership, Jack has been looking the part and deserves a crack at the Scottish title.
CM – Graham Dorrans
This bloke could still play in the English Premier League and immediately jumps right to the top of the list of midfielders in this division in terms of quality.
RW – Daniel Candeias
An exciting winger who loves to run with the ball, something Rangers fans have perhaps missed. Should start on the right.
ST – Kenny Miller
The evergreen Miller (or should that be forever blue?) is still a force in this league and although his game has adapted given his relative lack of pace, he remains one of the better forward players in the country.
LW – Eduardo Herrera
An exciting prospect in this division; he will want to be as central as possible, so will drift inside and cause problems, allowing the marauding Wallace to get forward down the left.