Philippe Clement is expected to make four changes as his Rangers side return to Scottish Premiership action against Ross County

Philippe Clement is expected to make four changes as his Rangers side return to Scottish Premiership action against Ross County

When Philippe Clement’s Rangers team plays Ross County in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, August 24, he is anticipated to make four changes. Following their goal-scoring cameos against St Johnstone last weekend, Cyriel Dessers and Ross McCausland are anticipated to return, and Leon Balogun and Connor Barron may also.

After suffering an injury in the Scottish League Cup match, Robin Propper is the biggest doubt to play. Danilo, Kieran Dowell, and Rabbi Matondo are also anticipated to be left off of Clement’s starting lineup. Before facing Ross County, Philippe Clement needs to get the Rangers lineup just perfect. At Hampden on Saturday, Clement cannot afford to make a mistake in his decision, and the Belgian goalkeeper Jack Butland, who is now ranked first, provides him with a strong platform on which to develop. After suffering an injury against St Johnstone, Clement would be prudent to avoid taking a chance on Propper in this game. As a result, Balogun, together with John Souttar in central defense, should start in place of the Dutchman.

Due to injuries and a lack of alternatives, the defense’s flanks choose themselves. After his questionable red card against Dynamo Kyiv, Jefte continues on the left side after playing the entire ninety minutes versus Saints. Despite rumors of a move abroad, Captain James Tavernier is also an obvious choice on the right [TEAMtalk, July 19]. Dujon Sterling is expected to continue playing a utility role in midfield for the team.

The Gers’ lack of both an out-and-out number six and number 10 leaves Clement in need of multi-functional options, with Barron surely set to come in for the underwhelming Dowell.

Mohamed Diomande has been ever-present since his £4.3million move from Nordsjaelland was sealed over the summer, and he’ll line up alongside Barron and Sterling, likely as the most advanced midfielder.

Vaclav Cerny has had a great start to his Glasgow career. He will continue to play on the right even if McCausland replaces him against Saints; minutes later, the youthful player makes it 2-0. While McCausland has undoubtedly earned a start, it is more likely to come from the left rather on the right, where Rabbi Matondo was linked to the exit, giving Clement more room to use both Cerny’s and his speed out wide. The most accurate alteration the Belgian will make up front is to get top scorer Cyriel Dessers back into the lineup. Dessers replaced Danilo on the bench during halftime against St Johnstone.

Danilo making a first start of the campaign following injury is a positive sign, but with the Gers needing to keep pace at the top, Clement can look no further than Dessers as his number nine.

In other Rangers news, the club have been dragged into a Romanian furore following the sacking of Neil Lennon at Rapid Bucharest.

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