Rangers travel to the SuperSeal to face Hamilton on Sunday.
Steven Gerrard’s team selection will be crucial when Rangers travel to Hamilton on Sunday afternoon, as they need a side capable of winning but one that keeps the Gers’ first-team stars fresh for Thursday.
The Gers go up against Russian outfit Spartak Moscow on Thursday in the Europa League at Ibrox and with Gerrard’s side currently topping their qualifying group, he will be keen to continue their strong form in Europe.
Keeping a number of his first-team stars on the sidelines on Sunday is key then, and it is likely that he would have started Kyle Lafferty up front instead of Alfredo Morelos in order to keep the Colombian at 100 per cent.
However, the Irish FA have barred Lafferty from playing after he withdrew from the Northern Ireland squad to face Austria and Bosnia & Herzegovina at the last minute. Rangers have been given a five-day rule from the end of the break.
So, Morelos is expected to lead the line against Martin Canning’s side, but there are likely to be changes to the side that beat Hearts 3-1 prior to the international break.
Gerrard has plenty to choose from, with the only other absentees being winger Jamie Murphy who is suffering from a long-term knee injury, while Lee Wallace is also injured.
Gareth McAuley has been pictured training and he could make his first appearance for Rangers at the SuperSeal, while Graham Dorrans and Andy Halliday could come in to the midfield. Glenn Middleton’s may also be given a chance.
Here, we think Rangers will make four changes with McAuley replacing Joe Worrall, Dorrans and Halliday coming in to keep Scott Arfield and Ovie Ejaria fresh, while Middleton is a like-for-like replacement for Ryan Kent.
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