Predicted XI - How Rangers could line up against Dundee at Ibrox in Premier Sports Cup Quarter-Final

The Light Blues are expected to heavily rotate their team for tonight’s clash against their Scottish Championship opponents.
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Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst confirmed he will ring the changes for the Premier Sports Cup visit of Championship side Dundee as they look to progress to the semi-finals of the competition.

The Ibrox club haven’t reached the final of the League Cup since 2019 with their last triumphy coming back in the 2010/11 season when Nikica Jelavic scored the winner against Celtic in a 2-1 victory.

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Van Bronckhorst stressed that the competition remains of huge importance to the club this season - and for him personally considering it was the first trophy he won as a Gers players back in 1998.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst addresses the media during his pre-match press call.Giovanni van Bronckhorst addresses the media during his pre-match press call.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst addresses the media during his pre-match press call.

Confidence in the camp may have been at an all-time low following last week’s 7-1 Champions League humbling at the hands of Liveprool, but a morale-boosting win over Motherwell on Sunday helped to lift the spirits among the management team, players and fans alike.

Here, GlasgowWorld predicts how Rangers will line up against Dundee at Ibrox:

Versatile defender Leon King has been catapulted into the spotlight this season under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the 18-year-old insists he is ready to seize the opportunites presented to him amid a centre-back crisis.

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The talented teenager has featured in various Champions League group stage matches this term as he continues to make positive strides within the first-team set up at such a young age.

Speaking in his pre-match media conference, King said: “It’s amazing. To be young and get this chance at such a big football club is still surreal for me, and my full family are proud as well. It’s a massive opportunity but it’s up to me to take that opportunity, the boss has shown that he can play different players in different positions as well so it’s up to me to grasp it with both hands.

King promotes Rangers' match against Dundee in the Premier Sports Cup.King promotes Rangers' match against Dundee in the Premier Sports Cup.
King promotes Rangers' match against Dundee in the Premier Sports Cup.

“I haven’t had much time to think about the game that I’ve played in recently because the games have been coming thick and fast, but once we start to get a bit of a break, I’ll start to look and reflect on what’s happened the last hectic few weeks.

“It was crazy but those are the games that I want to be playing in, I want to play Champions League games for this football club. We just need to pick ourselves up from last week’s tough defeat against Liveprool to bounce back and go again. We win as a team, and we lose as a team. We’re a tight-knit group and we’ll always bounce back from tough moments like that.

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“I only see this as the start (for me), being a young one and getting flung into the first-team at such a young age. You see the likes of Alex (Lowry), Adam (Devine) and Charlie (McCann) getting their chance, to be a Rangers fan as well is amazing.

“I’ve come through the academy from the Elite Centre on a Sunday night, it’s just about keeping your head down and working hard. I’ll play anywhere the managed needs me. You need to be able to play with the club at a club like Rangers, it’s always going to stand me in good stead to play in front of 50,000 at Ibrox.”

Rangers are likely to stick with Van Bronckhorst’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, with opportunities expected for a number of fringe players.

ROBBY McCRORIE: (GK) - Tipped to become Rangers next No.1 but has barely had a look-in of late. Signed a new long-term deal recently and must surely merit a start in cup ties.

Robby McCrorie in a action for Rangers against Celtic last season. The goalkeeper has been called up by Scotland despite not playing this season  (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)Robby McCrorie in a action for Rangers against Celtic last season. The goalkeeper has been called up by Scotland despite not playing this season  (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Robby McCrorie in a action for Rangers against Celtic last season. The goalkeeper has been called up by Scotland despite not playing this season (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
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JAMES TAVERNIER: (RB) - The skipper looks to have been playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks but is expected to be given the nod over youngster Devine.

LEON KING: (CB) - The teenager has excelled in the first-team environment. Amid a shortage of defensive options, the 18-year-old will once again be thrust into the limelight.

BEN DAVIES: (CB) - Has really started to find his feet in the Gers backline and is the only remaining out-and-out centre half option at Van Bronckhorst’s disposal at the moment.

RIDVAN YILMAZ: (LB) - Has found game time hard to come by since joining from Besiktas in the summer but the Turkish international must be given a chance to impress here.

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JOHN LUNDSTRAM: (CM) - Perhaps many will feel the Scouser is in need of a rest after a string of poor displays but he’s developed into a leading figure in the midfield.

CHARLIE McCANN: (CM) - Continues to star for the Gers B-Team and has caught the eye on his brief first-team appearances, including against Dundee United last month. Deserves another start.

MALIK TILLMAN: (CAM) - Scored a brilliant individal effort against Motherwell at the weekend to remind Van Bronckhorst what he is capable off.

RABBI MATONDO: (LW) - Ryan Kent must surely be dropped for this match? The Welshman has been waiting patiently for his opportunity and it is likely to come this evening.

Rabbi Matondo during a UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round match between Rangers and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox Stadium, on August 09, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland.  (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)Rabbi Matondo during a UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round match between Rangers and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox Stadium, on August 09, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland.  (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Rabbi Matondo during a UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round match between Rangers and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox Stadium, on August 09, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
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SCOTT WRIGHT: (RW) - Hasn’t tasted much action so far this season but this match might be a perfect opportunity to gvie him some minutes. Capable of terrorising Dundee’s backline.

ALFREDO MORELOS: (CF) - The Colombian has had to be content with a place on the bench for the majority of the campaign so far due to the goal scoring form of Colak, but this will present him with a chance to prove his worth.

On the bench: McGregor (GK), McLaughlin (GK), Davis, Colak, Kent, Sands, Roofe, Sakala, Barisic, Arfield, Devine, Ure

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