Derek McInnes will be desperate for a victory when Hibernian visit Ibrox, as he takes charge of his first competitive home game as Rangers boss. After a draw and a defeat in his opening two fixtures, the new manager knows nothing less than three points will ease early pressure.
McInnes's Rocky Start
The 55-year-old was held to a draw at Tannadice in Rangers' Scottish Premiership opener before suffering a defeat in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier in Poland against Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday night. Hibs, meanwhile, lost their league opener at home to Motherwell but are 2-1 up from the first leg of their Conference League qualifier against Shkendija, a win that has them travelling along the M8 in confident mood.
David Gray renews his old rivalry with McInnes, who was on the opposite side of the Edinburgh divide last season as Hearts boss. Gray made four changes to his side for this clash, citing the quick turnaround from Thursday's European action.
Team News and Key Battles
Rangers made six changes, with Olwethu Makhanya and Vanja Dragojevic handed full debuts, while Cammy Devlin, Nico Raskin, Findlay Curtis, and captain Lawrence Shankland all came into the starting XI. Hibs, meanwhile, brought in Klidje, Suto, Megwa, and Campbell, with Martin Boyle missing out due to tendonitis in his achilles.
Speaking to Premier Sports, Gray said: "It's always a big decision [to change the entire forward line], the [Martin] Boyle one he has a bit of tendonitis in his achilles for the last sort of few weeks that we're managing. Just the quick turnaround now, I know what he's put into it the last couple of games, he was never really going to be ready for this one, but it just gives someone else the opportunity."
Transfer Talk and Off-Field News
Ahead of kick-off, Rangers rejected a record £22m bid from Galatasaray for striker Youssef Chermiti, with the Turkish giants expected to return with an improved offer. McInnes addressed the bid, saying: "I'm led to believe the club's valuation of the player hasn't been met, so, from our point of view, like everything else, when you get clubs looking at your players, it's business as you were."
PSV Eindhoven boss Peter Bosz insisted that Rangers target Couhaib Driouech was left out of their Eredivisie opener due to a lack of fitness, not because of interest from the Ibrox side. Rangers have had an offer rejected for the winger but are expected to return with an improved bid.
Ibrox Fortress Ambitions
McInnes has challenged his players to make Ibrox a fortress again this season, urging them to put stress on opponents. He said: "We have to try and put more stress on opponents - home and away - but especially when they come to Ibrox now. We want them not to cope and be looking around at each other saying: 'Here they come again'. That's the mentality."
The match kicks off at Ibrox with Don Robertson as referee. Rangers are favourites with the bookies at 8/15, while Hibs are 7/2.
