Predicted Rangers XI vs Falkirk: Danny Rohl to rejig frontline in key star's absence as four changes made
Here’s how we think Danny Rohl will set up his Rangers XI to face Falkirk in their final Scottish Premiership clash before the split
Title-chasing Rangers travel to Falkirk on Sunday in their final Premiership game before the split as they look to remain in the hunt for the trophy.
With league leaders Hearts and fellow rivals Celtic both in action on Saturday, Danny Rohl’s side could find themselves in third place in the table by the time they kick-off against John McGlynn’s men.
The Light Blues are the division’s form team at present after embarking on a nine-match unbeaten run, but they have failed to beat Falkirk in two previous attempts so far this season, with the Bairns enjoying a hugely impressive first campaign back in the top-flight.
Following successive promotions, the Bairns confirmed a top-six finish with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over fourth-placed Motherwell at Fir Park last weekend and will take plenty of confidence into this game.
Danny Rohl on Falkirk vs Rangers
And Gers head coach Danny Rohl was extremely complimentary of Falkirk’s achievements this term ahead of Sunday’s lunchtime contest. He is also wary of the need to improve Rangers recent away record, which has yielded just one win from their last four matches stretching back to the start of February.
“Of course, I think we showed against St Mirren in a tough place that we could take a result, that was great,” Rohl stated. “We had also the opportunities to win the other away games, but we didn't, and now we have the next opportunity against a good opponent.
“I think this season we couldn't win against Falkirk, but in this case we're a little bit of a rule breaker. We spoke before St Mirren about this, we spoke about Dundee, we couldn't win in Aberdeen for a couple of years, and we did this season. And I think it gives me again a positive feeling when we go to Falkirk.”
How Rangers could line-up vs Falkirk
In addition to Ryan Naderi and Tuur Rommens’ being sidelined through injury, doubts have also been cast over the involvement of high-profile January signing Andreas Skov Olsen and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Mikey Moore. Rohl refused to comment on the nature of their situation, but expressed “question marks” over the duo’s participation.
Asked whether Naderi’s absence, in particular, would make him rethink his formation, Rohl responded: “When you think to the last game, we start with Thelo (Aasgaard) and Ryan and we keep our formation. Thelo gives us a different element, he can be a 10 but also on the last line.
“We have with Bojan (Miovski), a striker, available as well. It depends on how we go in the game. Both are ready. For Thelo, he was involved in the first goal, he was of course involved in his goal and he made the chip ball to Skov and then Skov to Dujon. He had a good game, he is physically strong and he worked hard even when he was not available and was not in the starting XI. That was a big compliment, he showed a lot of personality and character.
“It’s also good to have Bojan available, he is very clinical in his finishing. Both are different kinds of players. I remember when we won eight games in a row, we not always played with two strikers and that gives me confidence.”
With that in mind, here’s who we think will start for Rangers this weekend. FOUR changes are predicted to the side that ran out 4-2 winners at home to Dundee United.
- Jack Butland - GK
- Dujon Sterling - RB
- Nasser Djiga - RCB
- Emmanuel Fernandez - LCB
- Jayden Meghoma - LB
- Connor Barron - CM
- Nico Raskin - CM
- Oliver Antman - RW
- Thelo Aasgaard - CAM
- Djeidi Gassama - LW
- Youssef Chermiti - CF
SUBS: Liam Kelly (GK), James Tavernier, John Souttar, Andreas Skov Olsen, Mohamed Diomande, Mikey Moore, Nedim Bajrami, Bojan Miovski, Tochi Chukwuani.