Ibrox View: Clement to axe exit-linked man in three changes - Rangers predicted XI v Dynamo Kyiv

Rangers manager Philippe Clement is predicted to make three changes to his Rangers starting XI for the first leg of the Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv.

The Light Blues make the trip to Poland on Tuesday (6 August) for the first leg of the clash with the Ukrainian side as they look to book their place in Europe’s premier competition this season.

With only a matter of days to rest between the disappointing season-opening draw with Hearts at Tynecastle and Tuesday night’s clash, Clement will rotate his side in search of a first-leg lead.

Jack Butland will keep his place between the posts after another good display last time out, but the back four ahead of his will see a handful of changes after a shaky performance.

Ben Davies looked all at sea against Steven Naismith’s side and was slammed by pundits and supporters alike as he was toyed with by Lawrence Shankland and therefore will be axed with Leon Balogun likely taking his place.

While most supporters would prefer to see Robin Propper handed his debut, Clement admitted he couldn’t pick the defender if he hadn’t trained with the team and a couple of sessions is unlikely to change his mind [Rangers Review, 3 August].

Will James Tavernier exit Rangers in the summer transfer window?

John Souttar and Ridvan Yilmaz will keep their places after solid if unremarkable showings at Tynecastle, but Gers captain James Tavernier is likley to drop out of the starting XI.

The exit-linked 32-year-old didn’t have the best of games against Hearts and with Clement admitting he hopes to have Dujon Sterling available for selection [Football Scotland, 2 August], he will likely come back into the fold.

Sterling will offer a greater level of defensive stability than Tavernier and with Dynamo Kyiv in excellent attacking form, the Gers cannot afford to risk starting their skipper.

Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande will continue at the base of the midfielder. Although neither player blew anyone away at Tynescastle, they appear to be Clement’s preferred duo at this moment in time.

Tom Lawrence will continue just ahead of the pair in the number 10 role as Todd Cantwell continues to train away from the first team having submitted a transfer request.

Out wide, Clement will likely be forced into changes after Oscar Cortes hobbled off early in the second half and it will likely be Rabbi Matondo who replaces him, just as he did against Hearts.

With the Rangers boss admitting Vaclav Cerny would take a little while to get up to speed having only recently returned to pre-season from Euro 2024, the Czech international is unlikely to start and therefore Scott Wright may keep his place at right-wing.

Finally, up top it seems likely that Clement will continue with Cyriel Dessers. The Nigerian didn’t score against Hearts but with Danilo and Hamza Igamane’s fitness still unclear, no one is challenging him for a starting role.

In other Rangers news, one pundit has urged Gers supporters to get over the idea of signing Lawrence Shankland this summer

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