Rangers confirmed starting XI vs Annan: Rohl makes wholesale changes for Scottish Cup tie as fringe men given runout
Danny Rohl has named his starting line-up to face SPFL League Two side Annan Athletic in their Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Ibrox this evening
Danny Rohl has named his Rangers starting XI to face SPFL League Two side Annan Athletic for their Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Ibrox Stadium (KO: 7.45pm).
The Light Blues will be aiming to avoid a repeat of last season’s shock early exit to Queen’s Park in the competition when the part-timers visit Govan on the back of a four-match unbeaten streak.
Rangers, however, have won their last five Premiership games and new boss Rohl will be eager to progress with minimal fuss as he attempts to capture his first piece of silverware.
Team news: 9 changes, shock starts for outgoing trio
Rohl has made a whopping NINE changes to his Rangers team from the side that ran out 2-0 winners over Aberdeen at Pittodrie last weekend, with only Jayden Meghoma and Djeidi Gassama keeping their spot in the XI.
There’s shock starts for fringe duo Joe Rothwell and Kieran Dowell in midfield, with both players expected to leave the club later this month in search of regular game time. The lesser-spotted Clinton Nsiala partners Nasser Djiga in central defence, with youngster Findlay Curtis and Danilo given the nod to support Bojan Miovski in attack.
17-year-old Zebedee Lawson is named on the bench for the first time along with new signing Tochi Chukwuani, who is likely to make his debut as a second half substitute.
What has Liam Kelly said pre-match?
“That will be great, obviously, if the manager selects me, I will be delighted to play again. I know how difficult it is to get one game for Rangers. Coming through the academy is a real privilege if you get one game.
“It is a game that we will be taken absolutely 100 per cent seriously. We know Annan are capable of having some good results. Obviously, they beat East Kilbride around the Christmas period as well, who are really good in their league.
“Got some good players, they just recalled Tommy Goss, who is one of their main strikers who left them for East Fife at the start of the year. My wee brother is in League Two of Scottish football, so I watch a lot of Scottish football, and I am aware of the situation.
“Willie Gibson is their manager, who I have played against a number of times when I was on loan at other clubs. It is a game that we are taking absolutely seriously, desperate to win, and we got the major shock and upset last year, so we have got the biggest reminder possible that we can't slip up.”
Here's your confirmed starting XI’s ahead of tonight’s cup clash in Govan...
Rangers XI:
Liam Kelly; Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, Clinton Nsiala, Jayden Meghoma, Joe Rothwell, Kieran Dowell, Danilo, Djeidi Gassama, Findlay Curtis, Bojan Miovski
SUBS: Kieran Wright (GK), John Souttar, Tochi Chukwuani, Mohamed Diomande, Thelo Aasgaard, Zebedee Lawson, Mikey Moore, Rabbi Matondo, Youssef Chermiti.
Annan Athletic XI:
Charlie Albinson; Scott Hooper, Max Kilsby, Josh Dixon, Tommy Muir (C), Keith Watson, Paul Smith, Aidan Smith, Ryan Muir, Charlie Maxwell, Wullie Gibson.