Rangers can return to the top of the Premiership table with a win at Dens Park on Saturday night, before title rivals Celtic and Hearts play on Sunday. Derek McInnes’s side moved top last week with a victory over Kilmarnock, though the 3-0 lead was reduced to a consolation goal for Neil McCann’s men in a laboured second half.
International break and selection dilemmas
Thirteen Rangers players travelled to represent their countries during the three-week international break, with eight having started the previous weekend. Some European nations played as many as four games. McInnes had kept the same starting line-up that beat Celtic at Parkhead for the Kilmarnock match, saying he did not want to “dicking about with the team too much.” He admitted he had been “reluctant” to change a winning formula and should have had more “understanding” of fitness levels on return.
That points to possible changes at Dens Park. Deadline-day loan signing Badredine Bouanani, on loan from Stuttgart, has managed just four appearances this season, the latest a two-minute cameo against Kilmarnock when he replaced Djedi Gassama. The 21-year-old Algerian could now be handed a first start.
Fringe players pushing for starts
On the opposite flank, Minsu Kim has impressed since his move from Girona but has yet to contribute a goal or assist. After a relentless start that included his first South Korea cap, the wide man could be rested, with Scotland cap Findlay Curtis coming in after looking bright off the bench last weekend.
Tuur Rommens returned to the bench last weekend after a lengthy injury layoff. James Penrice, signed from AEK, has made the left-back slot his own, but McInnes could hand the 23-year-old Belgian a start given the minutes Penrice has played.
Dujon Sterling was forced off at half-time last weekend through illness, with Kosta Nedeljkovic replacing him in a rare appearance. The Aston Villa loanee made his first appearance in over a month, and the 20-year-old could be given the nod to protect in-form Sterling. McInnes has confirmed Sterling will be fit, while Ross McCrorie faces a lengthy absence.
Strike partnership and midfield
Up front, Bojan Miovski is the only real alternative to Ryan Naderi and Kevin Kelsy, who represented Czechia and Venezuela during the break. Naderi has scored three goals in his last two games and appears to have formed a strong partnership with Kelsy, making a change unlikely.
Dan Neil and Nico Raskin also look set to continue in midfield, with Tochi Chukwuani likely to be an onlooker at kick-off.
Predicted Rangers XI: Pandur, Makhanya, Fernandez, Rommens, Nedeljkovic, Neil, Raskin, Bouanani, Curtis, Kelsy, Naderi.
