Rangers will aim to exercise the ghosts of a difficult week at Ibrox and relieve pressure on under-fire head coach Philippe Clement by defeating Motherwell in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday (kick-off: 3pm).
Clement heads desperate for a morale-boosting win after Rangers’ nightmare start to the domestic campaign continued on Wednesday with a 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen. The result left the Gers trailing both Celtic and Aberdeen by nine points in the Scottish Premiership and left many calling for the Belgian to be dismissed.
As for Motherwell, head coach Stuart Kettlewell will hope to pile further misery onto the Ibrox boss after an impressive 2-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice in midweek. The Fir Park outfit are just three points behind Rangers in the league and will head into this weekend’s semi-final with confidence they can topple their opponents and make a first domestic final since the 2017/18 season.
Both sides have several injury concerns heading into the game, with Rangers missing Rabbi Matondo, Ridvan Yilmaz and Oscar Cortes, while Vaclav Cerny and Danilo are both doubts after recent injuries. Paul McGinn, Harry Paton and Stephen O’Donnell are all confirmed absentees for the ‘Well.
With defeat unthinkable for Rangers head coach Clement, picking a team that can navigate the tricky challenge of Motherwell and progress to the final of the League Cup is absently crucial for the Belgian head coach. So how will the Rangers team line-up on Sunday afternoon?
The Scotsman predict the Rangers starting XI for their crucial Premier Sports Cup clash at Hampden:
5. LB: Jefte
Was replaced by Neraysho Kasanwirjo in the starting XI at Aberdeen as Philippe Clement opted for more physical presence at the back. The Brazilian will come back in for the semi-final though, as Rangers go on the attack. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
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6. CM: Connor Barron
Put in one of his poorest performances this season in the loss to Aberdeen. Has been one of the club's better performers this year though, so will keep his place for the game against Motherwell. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
7. CM: Nicolas Raskin
Has came back into the side for the last two games and has looked brighter in a slightly advanced role. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
8. CAM: Tom Lawrence
The Welsh midfielder has scored five goals in all competitions and has proven to be one of Rangers' best attacking options. Starts the game at Hampden in the number 10 role. | SNS Group Photo: SNS