Predicted Rangers XI to face Hearts: Who starts for the Gers?
Rangers stand a great chance to go to the top of the Scottish Premiership table when they face off against Heart of Midlothian FC at the Tynecastle Stadium on Sunday.
The Gers currently sit second in the table, just two points off of leaders Celtic. And with the Hoops not in action in the Premiership this weekend, owing to their involvement in the Scottish League Cup final, Steven Gerrard’s side can go to the summit of the standings with a win against Craig Levein’s team.
Last time out in the league, the Light Blues had beaten Livingston FC 3-0, following which they played out a goalless draw against Spanish outfit Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night. In their last three games, Rangers have scored ten times and conceded just once, and they must look to continue in the same vein of form on Sunday.
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Gerrard has been boosted by the return of summer signing Borna Barisic, who was sidelined with a calf injury, while Jordan Rossiter is also fit and available for selection. Ryan Kent remains sidelined, however, along with Graham Dorrans and Jamie Murphy.
Here’s how the Gers might take the field against Hearts on Sunday;
Manager: Steven Gerrard
Formation: 4-3-3
Allan McGregor (GK)
The veteran Scottish keeper kept his 11th clean sheet of the season in the midweek game and should be retained between the sticks on Sunday.
James Tavernier (RB)
An ever-present in the lineup when fit and available, club captain James Tavernier is a guaranteed starter at right-back for the visitors.
Connor Goldson (CB)
The former Brighton & Hove Albion has become an integral part of the Gers’ side since moving to the club in the summer. Should start at the heart of the defence.
Gareth McAuley (CB)
The 38-year-old centre-half has given a good account of himself in the handful of games he has featured in this term. Should start alongside Goldson, ahead of Nikola Katic and Joe Worrall.
Borna Barisic (LB)
Having been sidelined for over a month, the 26-year-old Croatian is back to full fitness and should walk into the team at left-back, in place of Jon Flanagan.
Scott Arfield (CM)
The former Burnley man has been a key source of goals and creativity from the middle of the park for the Light Blues. Should be retained in the starting line-up for the trip to Edinburgh.
Ryan Jack (CM)
The Scotland international is a constant fixture in the lineup for Gerrard’s fit when available. That is unlikely to change for Sunday’s game against the third-placed Hearts.
Ovie Ejaria (CM)
The on-loan Liverpool midfielder did not start in the midweek game against Villarreal but should come back into to line-up, with fellow loanee Lassana Coulibaly set to make way.
Eros Grezda (RW)
The 23-year-old scored a brace the last time he started in the 7-1 win over Motherwell. Hasn’t been involved in the last two games, but should be given a run out in place of Daniel Candeias, who got himself sent off in the important game against Villarreal during the week.
Alfredo Morelos (ST)
The Colombian striker scored a double in the win over Livingston in the last league game to take his tally for the season to 16 goals. Should lead the line ahead of Kyle Lafferty.
Glenn Middleton (LW)
The 18-year-old has been a revelation in his debut campaign for Rangers. Was an impressive outlet against Villarreal and should continue on the left side on Sunday.
