Rangers are set to continue their Scottish Premiership journey this Sunday as they welcome Hibernian to Ibrox for matchday two. After a disappointing midweek performance, the team is eager to bounce back and secure their first league victory of the season.
The Glasgow club has encountered a rocky start, beginning their league campaign with a lackluster 1-1 draw against Dundee United. This was followed by a challenging European outing, where they fell 2-1 at home to Jagiellonia Bialystok in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round. With no wins in their opening matches, the urgency for a turnaround is palpable.
In terms of team news, manager Derek McInnes is expected to make several adjustments following the taxing European fixture. The squad has been dealt a significant blow with the news that defender Ben Godfrey will be sidelined for three to four weeks due to a hamstring injury sustained during the match against Jagiellonia Bialystok.
Moreover, the midfield options are limited as both Connor Barron and Jose Cifuentes continue to recover from knee injuries and will not be available for selection. However, there is a silver lining as new signing Olwethu Makhanya, a centre-back from Philadelphia Union, has been declared fit and could make his debut at Ibrox.
McInnes may opt to introduce fresh faces into the starting lineup, with Nicolas Raskin, young midfielder Findlay Curtis, and striker Lawrence Shankland all pushing for starting roles. Their inclusion could provide the spark needed to ignite Rangers' season.
The predicted lineup for Rangers includes: Pandur; Sterling, McCrorie, Fernandez, Rommens; Devlin, Raskin; Curtis, Aasgaard, Diomande; Shankland. This formation reflects a blend of experience and youth, aimed at overcoming the challenges posed by Hibernian.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 4pm BST on Sunday, August 9. Fans in the UK can catch the action live on Premier Sports 1, as Rangers look to turn their fortunes around and secure a crucial three points against their rivals.
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