Predicted Rangers side to face St. Johnstone: Five changes, Grezda starts

Follow us on Google Discover

Rangers play host to St. Johnstone on Sunday afternoon.

Steven Gerrard will have been delighted with his side’s performance on Thursday night as Rangers drew 2-2 with Villarreal in Spain in their first Europa League Group G clash – but now must pick a side to face St. Johnstone on Sunday.

Goals from Scott Arfield and Kyle Lafferty earned Rangers a point in their bid to qualify for the knockout stages, while Allan McGregor pulled off a number of important saves to keep the likes of Santi Cazorla and Ramiro Funes Mori at bay.

Looking ahead, Rangers will be looking to keep the pressure on Old Firm rivals Celtic and table toppers Hearts with three points against Tommy Wright’s St. Johnstone, who boast the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for August.

Former Celtic striker Tony Watt has impressed since returning to the top tier of Scottish football, scoring five goals in 10 league and cup appearances for The Saints.

Gerrard will be keen to avoid burnout among his players, after already playing 15 times this season in all competitions. Using the depths of his squad to churn out results is key with a Europa League campaign.

Having already travelled to Spain, Rangers face trips to Austria and Russia between now and Christmas and keeping his players fresh is paramount to remaining competitive in Europe and in Scotland.

That should see Gerrard make changes for Sunday’s clash, with Jon Flanagan and Alfredo Morelos likely to start after they remained at home due to being suspended against Villarreal.

Graham Dorrans returned from injury and looked sharp in a five-minute cameo role and he could also start, while Nikola Katic remained on the bench in Spain. Eros Grezda, 23, could also make his debut, after being an unused substitute.

With Flanagan, Morelos, Dorrans, Katic and Grezda coming into the side, here is how we think Rangers will line-up against St. Johnstone. Out go Borna Barisic, Kyle Lafferty, Joe Worrall, Daniel Candeias and Scott Arfield.