Raskin To Return? | Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup To Face St Johnstone | OneFootball

Despite a commanding 3-0 home win against bitter rivals Celtic, Rangers are marching towards another second-place finish in the Scottish Premiership. Their abysmal away form cost them nine points in the last four trips, and the Gers, therefore, are currently 15 points behind the Hoops irrespective of the Old Firm victory. Persistent injury problems have not helped them either and the gaffer Philippe Clement would once again rely on his decimated backline when they host bottom-placed St Johnstone on Sunday afternoon.

Rangers had to bank on former midfielder Jason Holt’s own goal when these two sides locked horns last month at McDiarmid Park. But they have dominated this fixture over the years including a 2-0 win at Ibrox earlier this season.

Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup To Face St Johnstone

Defence

Liam Kelly is finally having a run of games due to Jack Butland’s leg injury. He must aim for a clean sheet having conceded four goals in the past two games against Dundee and Hibernian.

Injuries to John Souttar, Leon Balogun, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and versatile Dujon Sterling have left Rangers with Robin Propper as the only senior centre-half available for selection. Clinton Nsiala made his senior debut against the Dee and is expected to pair up with Propper once more in the heart of the backline. While Leon King remains a viable option, the Gers academy prodigy does not seem to be in Clement’s first-team plans. Moreover, skipper James Tavernier’s absence has forced the Belgian boss to deploy Ridvan Yilmaz from the right, particularly after Jefte’s emergence as the first-choice left fullback.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 21: Antonio Portales of Dundee vies with Hamza Igamane of Rangers during the William Hill Premiership match between Rangers FC and Dundee FC at Ibrox Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Midfield

Depth in midfield should see the Ibrox chief rotate his players for the Saints test. Nicolas Raskin was suspended for the Dundee game but is likely to reclaim his place in the middle of the park replacing Connor Barron. Mohamed Diomande should form a ‘double pivot’ alongside the Belgian, and the manager must bring in the likes of Barron and Kieran Dowell at some stage to avoid fatigue and further injury concerns.

Ianis Hagi is reintegrated into the starting XI and should keep his spot down the left ahead of Rabbi Matondo, Oscar Cortes and Ross McCausland. Vaclav Cerny is enjoying an impressive spell on the right, also, Nedim Bajrami has slotted in as a ‘number 10’ amid Tom Lawrence’s injury absence.

Attack

Hamza Igamane has been a revelation high up the pitch as he fired in a hat-trick against Hibernian in their 3-3 draw at Easter Road. The Moroccan must feature as the outright ‘number 9’ ahead of both Danilo and Cyriel Dessers in the pecking order.