Cornelius Must Start In Defence | Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup To Face Hibernian | OneFootball

Russell Martin’s future at Rangers is hanging by a thread after a disastrous home defeat against Hearts last weekend. Another tricky test awaits them on Saturday evening, when they will host Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final. Hibs are so far unbeaten in the domestic competitions, and the Gers’ dreadful run would boost their hopes of making it to Hampden Park.

Martin’s men were lucky to be drawn against the minnows Alloa Athletic in the previous round, as it remains their only domestic win since taking charge of the Glasgow giants. Their previous meeting at Ibrox ended 2-0 in favour of the visitors, and it remains to be seen whether the under-fire gaffer turns things around, defying the odds.

Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup To Face Hibernian

Defence

Liam Kelly, who featured against Alloa, is expected to get the nod ahead of Jack Butland. The veteran Englishman has been the preferred choice both in Europe and the league, but could make way for the ‘number 2’ in this Cup tie.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Josef Bursik of Hibernian saves from Cyriel Dessers of Rangers during the SPL | Premier League match between Rangers FC and Hibernian FC at Ibrox Stadium on September 29, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Derek Cornelius was brought in at half-time against the Jambos. The Canadian centre-half should make his full debut, replacing Nasser Djiga in the heart of the backline. John Souttar should keep his place, and so should Jayden Meghoma, with the latter being the first-choice left fullback upon his arrival from Brentford on a season-long loan. Max Aarons might return to the starting XI and feature from the right in place of James Tavernier.

Midfield

An injury sustained against Hearts makes Joe Rothwell a significant doubt on Sunday. Although the manager opted for Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande as the ‘double pivot’, Nicolas Raskin should be reintegrated and lined up alongside Diomande, given their composure and chemistry in the centre of the pitch.

Lyall Cameron, Bailey Rice and Kieran Dowell are nursing their respective knocks, and regardless of their availability this weekend, Thelo Aasgaard deserves a run of games as a ‘number 10’ to attune to the aggression of Scottish football. Mikey Moore has been below par down the wide, and Martin should restore Oliver Antman to the starting eleven after a failed experiment of switching Djeidi Gassama on the right. The Frenchman should feature from the left, thus making way for Antman to occupy the right-hand flank.

Attack

Bojan Miovski started back-to-back games but has yet to leave a mark. Youssef Chermiti was introduced as a second-half substitute in search of an equaliser, and the big-money signing from Everton should get the nod over the Macedonian to spearhead the attack.