Rangers face Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon.
Rangers boss Graeme Murty will be busy preparing his side for a must-win Scottish Premiership encounter against Hearts on Saturday afternoon, with three points required if the Gers are to pose a title challenge.
Saturday gives Rangers a huge chance to close the gap on Old Firm rivals Celtic, with the Hoops playing on Sunday after their exploits in the Europa League. It can see Rangers go within six points of Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Celtic could even drop points on Sunday afternoon, as they face a difficult trip to Pittodrie just three days after an exhausting journey to Russia that saw the Bhoys battered 3-0 by Roberto Mancini’s Zenit St. Petersburg.
Murty must pick his best possible squad on Saturday in regards to form, and it should see him drop loan signing Russell Martin after the Norwich City defender made mistakes for two of Hamilton’s goals last time out.
The Gers earned a 5-3 win, but Martin gave the ball away cheaply for David Templeton’s first-half effort before conceding a penalty as Dougie Imrie blasted the ball into the roof of the net.
The Scottish Herald claim Euro 2016 winner Bruno Alves is fully fit after recovering from a calf injury and Murty must throw the veteran defender into his Rangers starting line-up in place of Martin, in what will be his first appearance of 2018.
Despite question marks surrounding his Rangers desire, Alves’ class and experience the top level is a quality none of the Gers squad possess and would give Murty’s side the best chance of achieving three points.
Alves has helped the Gers keep six clean sheets in his 17 Rangers appearances this season, with the Gers conceding at a ratio of just one a match when the Portugal World Cup hopeful is on the pitch.
Alongside David Bates, Alves would give the Gers the experience, aerial prowess and leadership required to push themselves closer to rivals Celtic.
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