Predicted Rangers XI vs Aberdeen: Rohl to make solitary change as star available after charges over car crash
How we expect Rangers could line-up against Aberdeen at Ibrox in their latest midweek Scottish Premiership encounter
Rangers have the opportunity to move into second place in the Premiership if they manage to secure a positive result at home to Aberdeen on Tuesday night.
Victory for Danny Rohl’s side against the managerless Dons at Ibrox would move them only three points behind leaders Hearts as the Light Blues look to build on Saturday’s 3-1 derby win over their fiercest rivals Celtic.
That marked head coach Rohl’s ninth win in 12 league games since taking charge of the club in October, while there has been just one loss in that run.
Aberdeen, meanwhile, are without a win in their last four league fixtures and will have a point to prove following dismissal of manager Jimmy Thelin.
What has John Souttar said pre-match?
Defender John Souttar feels it’s still “so early” to be discussing the prospect of silverware, but reckons Rangers are building a “real togetherness” following a troubled start to the campaign.
He stated: “There's a real togetherness and I think we're building something here. I think we can feel it. The manager, everyone involved can feel it, but it's important we keep backing it up.
“He (Rohl) is clear on what he wants from everyone on the pitch. Tactically he's really good and he can change it within games and he's not scared to do it at half-time. I think it's hard to pinpoint one or two things he's good at but I really enjoy working with him.
“We just need to keep the momentum going, take it game by game because if we don't back up on Tuesday there's no point in doing that on Saturday, so every game's massive and we keep going.”
Who will start for Rangers against Aberdeen?
We are predicting only ONE change from the Rangers side that defeated Celtic 3-1 at the weekend. Norwegian midfielder Thelo Aasgaard was largely anonymous during the first-half at Parkhead and his half-time replacement Mohamed Diomande brought far more energy in the second 45. The Ivorian’s all-action style should be suited to facing Aberdeen’s high-press.
It’s expected that Rohl will opt for the same back four that lined-up in Glasgow’s east end with Souttar continuing to wear the captain’s armband while Dujon Sterling is still preferred to James Tavernier right-back.
Sterling is available for selection despite being charged by Police Scotland with driving offences following a crash in Glasgow in the wake of the Old Firm encounter. The Englishman was arrested at the scene in the early hours of Sunday morning and will appear in court at a later date.
Rohl might be tempted to freshen things up slightly in attack and youngster Findlay Curtis may come into the equation should the German boss decide to rest ether Mikey Moore or Djeidi Gassama from the outset. However, given how both players performed against Celtic, it seems unlikely they will lose their place in the line-up.
Taking all of that into account, here’s our Rangers starting XI predicted:
- Jack Butland - GK
- Dujon Sterling - RB
- John Souttar - CB
- Emmanuel Fernandez - CB
- Jayden Meghoma - LB
- Connor Barron - CM
- Nicolas Raskin - CM
- Mohamed Diomande - CAM
- Mikey Moore - RW
- Djeidi Gassama - LW
- Youssef Chermiti - CF
SUBS: Liam Kelly (GK), James Tavernier, Max Aarons, Thelo Aasgaard, Clinton Nsiala, Kieran Dowell, Bojan Miovski, Findlay Curtis, Danilo.