Rangers have the chance to close the gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic when they host St Johnstone at Ibrox on Saturday. Derek McInnes' side drew 2-2 with Dundee at Dens Park last weekend, ending their winning streak but extending their unbeaten run to eight games.
The Light Blues fell behind to Bradley Fink's opener before goals from Badredine Bouanani and Nicolas Raskin turned the game around. However, a mistake by Dan Neil in the 69th minute allowed Callum Jones to earn the hosts a point, leaving Rangers to settle for a draw.
St Johnstone Dealing with Illness Bug
St Johnstone arrive in Glasgow with their own concerns after McInnes revealed on Friday that a handful of players had been feeling unwell after a bug spread through the squad ahead of the clash. The Perth side, managed by Simo Valakari, come into the match in good form with a three-game undefeated run steering them to fifth place in the table, fresh from their promotion from the Championship.
Reece McAlear, the St Johnstone midfielder, is nine games into his first Premiership season. He and Saints have taken it in their stride with three wins so far helping them to fifth place in the table.
McAlear Ready for Ibrox Return
McAlear took to the Ibrox pitch at 15 and fancied a career gracing the big stages. It has taken him nine years to get back there and he wants to make it worth the wait. He said: "I have only played at Ibrox once before, for Motherwell's Under-20s, and I came on."
"It was a long time ago. There were about 20 people there – I think it was 19 other folk and my dad!"
"I was only a wee guy, a skeleton in the middle of the park with a big, baggy shirt on. James McFadden was playing to get his fitness up, I think, but he was still some player."
"I remember coming on and looking up at the main stand with three tiers, thinking how good it would be to play to a full house."
"You think how much it makes you want to come back but it's taken me a while! Well, nine years later I'm finally going back, so it'll be good to do it eventually."
"These are the games you want to play in. It's something you look forward to, you want to play at the big stadiums with big crowds in attendance. A few mates will probably be in the crowd, so hopefully I can put on a show for them!"
Team News and Officials
Record Sport reckons Rangers will line up in a 4-4-2 formation: Pandur - Sterling, Godfrey, Makhanya, Penrice - Bouanani, Neil, Raskin, Kim - Naderi, Kelsy.
Chris Graham will referee the match, assisted by David McGeachie and Graeme Stewart. Andrew Dallas is on VAR, assisted by Gary Hilland.
Rangers can now close the gap on Celtic before the table toppers play on Sunday, with McInnes potentially forced to spring some surprises on home turf due to the virus affecting his squad.
