Rangers starting XI vs Dundee: Team news, expected line up ahead of Ibrox return with key change made

Following last weekend’s 1-0 win over previously unbeaten Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership, Philippe Clement’s side will be hoping to complete a Dundee double in Glasgow and progress to the final four of a competition they won last season.

With Rangers schedule set to get hectic in the coming weeks due to their Europa League participation, Clement is expected to make changes to the starting XI, though the Belgian may struggle to rotate with Rabbi Matondo, Ridvan Yilmaz and Danilo all expected to be out for a number of weeks. So how will the Gers starting XI look against Dundee this weekend?

The Scotsman predict the Rangers starting XI for the game against Dundee:

GK: Jack Butland

The Rangers number one will look to build on last week’s clean sheet at Tannadice and help the Gers progress to the final four of the competition.

RB: James Tavernier

With speculation over the captain’s future now at an end, he can concentrate on leading his team to another semi-final this weekend. While some players may be rested, we can’t see the skipper being one of them.

CB: John Souttar

Since the arrival of Clement as head coach, Souttar has become one of the first names on the team sheet. With Leon Balogun fit, there’s a chance of some rotation but it’s expected that the Scotland international will start on the club’s return to Ibrox.

CB: Robin Propper

As mentioned above, Balogun will be pushing to start the game at the weekend after an injury-hit start to his season, but Clement will want to use the game to build further chemistry between his first choice centre-backs.

LB: Jefte

He performed well against Dundee United last week, offering good defensive cover behind the returning Oscar Cortes, while also getting forward himself. With Yilmaz still injured, the young Brazilian will start at left-back.

CM: Connor Barron

The diminutive midfielder will play the deepest role in the midfield three, used as a water carrier in front of the back four.

CM: Mohamed Diomande

Alongside Barron will be the young Ivorian. Has had a slow start to the season, but was improved in the win at Tannadice.

CAM: Tom Lawrence

Arguably the standout performer in last week’s win over Dundee United, the Welsh midfielder eased the pressure on Rangers with an early opener at Tannadice. Clement will start Lawrence again in the hope he can produce a similar performance.

RM: Nedim Bajrami

A first start for the Albanian international is likely. Arriving from Sassuolo on deadline day for £3.4million, it feels reasonable to expect him to start games as quickly as possible. Rangers could do with freshening up, and Bajrami will be given an opportunity to make his mark at Ibrox.

LW: Oscar Cortes

The Ecuadorian is behind on his match fitness, having suffered an injury in the opening day draw with Hearts, so will be pencilled in for another start this weekend against Dundee at Ibrox.

CF: Cyriel Dessers

With Danilo out injured, Rangers have a straight choice between the Nigerian and summer signing Hamza Igamane in the lone striker role. With the Moroccan being drafted into the Rangers squad gradually, we expect Dessers to start though.