Rangers predicted XI v St Johnstone as Gers look to lay down title marker

Rangers get their Scottish Premiership season back underway against St Johnstone after almost two weeks since defeating Old Firm rivals Celtic 1-0.

In a bumpy opening period to the season, Rangers failed to qualify for the Champions League – but did fall back on the Europa – whilst they also lost their unbeaten league record stretching back to last season.

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Malmo and Dundee United managed to land sizeable blows on the club and support and despite such a rampant season last campaign, there was undoubtedly frustration seeping into the fans.

Comparing this with rivals Celtic – a newly reformed squad being led by Ange Postecoglou and Kyogo Furuhashi – had a narrative building that things might not be so one-sided this season.

Amid Covid-19 call-offs, Rangers went into that Ibrox Old Firm against not only an apparently resurgent Celtic side, but undoubtedly a resurgent Celtic support.

Without the club’s captain, manager, first-choice and back-up right-backs and goalkeepers – and with several players still toiling for fitness – Rangers put an end to that early-season momentum in emphatic style.

Now, the test for Rangers is to find the level of performance which defined the club last season and that begins against the Saints.

St Johnstone are certainly a tad wounded after a hectic start to the season themselves.

Not only did Callum Davidson’s team go the distance in European qualification to fall at the final hurdle – an immense feat for a threadbare squad – but the club has lost four key players ahead of this clash.

Callum Davidson’s side are in a transformational moment ahead of the Rangers clash. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Jason Kerr and Ali McCann were sold late in the window, whilst Murray Davidson is injured and Rangers loanee Glenn Middleton is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Rangers are facing St Johnstone at a very good time and this is a very good opportunity to build some domestic momentum ahead of the rest of the season.

Ianis Hagi misses out due to a Covid-19 positive, whilst we suspect the match could come a little too early for James Tavernier in his recovery from the virus.

Here’s how we fancy the Ibrox side to line up as Rangers prepare to pick up where they left off at Ibrox a little under a fortnight ago:

St Johnstone v Rangers: Rangers predicted XI – 4-3-3

GK – Allan McGregor

DR – Nathan Patterson

DC – Connor Goldson

DC – Filip Helander

DL – Borna Barisic

CDM – Steven Davis

CM – Glen Kamara

CM – Joe Aribo

RF – Kemar Roofe

ST – Alfredo Morelos

LF – Ryan Kent