Derek McInnes faces a selection dilemma for Rangers' Premiership clash with St Mirren on Saturday night after springing a surprise with his line-up in last weekend's Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
When the Rangers team-sheet dropped at Hampden, most people were shocked to see skipper Dan Neil's name not on it. The Ibrox gaffer opted to leave his captain on the bench against Aberdeen, in favour of deploying James Penrice in a midfield berth. That meant a return at left-back for Belgian ace Tuur Rommens.
Why Penrice started in midfield
McInnes felt he needed more legs and energy in the middle of the pitch, which Penrice provides. While Rommens, who has recently returned from long-term injury, had impressed enough to earn a start.
Rangers got through the tie thanks to Ryan Naderi's late winner to sicken the Dons. But plenty of fans might argue that it was only after Neil's introduction as a sub that their side turned the screw and got over the line.
The former Sunderland man had a part to play in Naderi's goal - as did Penrice who had by that stage been shifted to full-back.
Options for the St Mirren clash
So the manager has a dilemma with his selection ahead of Saturday night's Premiership clash with St Mirren in Paisley. Does he keep Rommens in from the start? That would mean a choice between Neil and Penrice to partner Nico Raskin in the engine room. And does Djeidi Gassama, who was also left out at Hampden, come back into the side after having a positive impact off the bench?
These are good problems to have for McInnes, who has confirmed that centre-back Manny Fernandez should be fit to face the Buddies, along with winger Badredine Bouanani who has been ill for a couple of days.
After his exertions at Hampden, I'd expect Rommens to sit this one out in Paisley, with Penrice reverting back to defence. That means Neil should be reinstated to central midfield beside Raskin.
Predicted Rangers XI for St Mirren
Gassama proved at Hampden that sometimes he's actually more effective coming on against tiring teams than he is starting games. That will be in McInnes' mind before they face Craig McLeish's side.
As long as Bouanani is 100 percent fit, he should start on the right flank, especially after McInnes spoke about how good he is when Rangers have to try and break opposition teams down.
Minsu Kim struggled for spells at Hampden but his work ethic - and ability in tight situations - should see him deployed on the other side. While the likes of Gassama, Rommens and Findlay Curtis could well be needed from the bench.
Predicted Rangers XI: Pandur - Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Penrice - Bouanani, Neil, Raskin, Kim - Naderi, Kelsy.
Subs: Kelly, Nedeljkovic, Godfrey, Rommens, Chukwuani, Dragojevic, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.
