View: Clement to axe three players, exit-linked ace to start – Rangers predicted XI v Ross Co

Philippe Clement is expected to make four changes as his Rangers side return to Scottish Premiership action against Ross County on Saturday (24 August).

Cyriel Dessers and Ross McCausland are expected to come into the side after goal-scoring performances off the bench against St Johnstone last weekend, while Connor Barron and Leon Balogun could also return.

Robin Propper is the biggest doubt to feature after picking up an injury in the Scottish League Cup clash, with Kieran Dowell, Rabbi Matondo and Danilo all expected to drop out of Clement’s starting side.

Philippe Clement must get Rangers XI right for Ross County clash

Clement cannot afford to slip up with his selection at Hampden on Saturday, and in picking undisputed number one Jack Butland between the sticks, the Belgian has a solid foundation to build on.

Clement would be wise not to risk Propper in this match after his injury against St Johnstone, and thus Balogun should return to the side in the Dutchman’s place alongside John Souttar in central defence.

The flanks of the defence pick themselves, owing to injuries and a lack of other options. Jefte continues on the left side having played the full 90 against Saints, following his controversial Dynamo Kyiv red card.

Captain James Tavernier is also a clear pick on the right, despite links to a move elsewhere [TEAMtalk, 19 July], with Dujon Sterling set to continue his utility role in midfield for the side.

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 made a bright start to life in Glasgow and will keep his place on the right, despite being replaced by McCausland against Saints – with the youngster making it 2-0 to minutes later.

McCausland has certainly earned a start, but this is likely to be in place of the exit-linked Rabbi Matondo on the left rather than the right, allowing Clement to utilise both his and Cerny’s pace out wide.

Up front, the most nailed-on change the Belgian will make is bringing top scorer Cyriel Dessers back into the side, after he came off the bench for Danilo at half-time 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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