Key Points
- Rangers return to Scottish Premiership action at Ibrox following a disappointing 2-2 draw away against Dundee last Sunday.
- The Ibrox club face a severe injury crisis with seven key players ruled out, including Cameron Devlin, Daisuke Yokota, Jose Cifuentes, Lawrence Shankland, Ross McCrorie, Tuur Rommens, and Youssef Chermiti.
- Manager Derek McInnes must adjust his squad to maintain pressure on league leaders Celtic while managing a depleted squad.
- Goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and defender Dujon Sterling are projected to anchor the defensive unit alongside Olwethu Makhanya, Emmanuel Fernandez, and James Penrice.
- Midfield stability relies heavily on Dan Neil, Nicolas Raskin, and Kim Min-su, while Djedi Gassama, Badredine Bouanani, and Ryan Naderi lead the forward line.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) October 24, 2026 – Rangers prepare to return to Scottish Premiership action today at Ibrox against St. Johnstone, with manager Derek McInnes forced to navigate a significant selection predicament following a frustrating 2-2 draw with Dundee last Sunday. The Ibrox side enter the fixture needing three points to keep up their pressure on league leaders Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. However, squad availability has emerged as a major constraint for the coaching staff, as a vast number of first-team regulars remain sidelined through injury ahead of kick-off.
A total of seven first-team players have been formally ruled out of the fixture against the Saints. Cameron Devlin, Daisuke Yokota, Jose Cifuentes, Lawrence Shankland, Ross McCrorie, Tuur Rommens, and Youssef Chermiti will play no part in the match. The absence of key options across multiple areas of the pitch leaves the manager with limited room for maneuver, forcing tactical adaptations to maintain defensive discipline and attacking momentum.
Despite the mounting injury list, Derek McInnes has demonstrated an ability to secure vital results during demanding periods of the season. His squad management and pragmatic tactics have enabled the side to maintain competitive performances during critical fixtures. Facing a St. Johnstone side seeking to capitalise on any defensive vulnerabilities, the starting line-up selected for today’s match will be scrutinised closely as Rangers look to secure a clean sheet and all three points at home.
What Is the Expected Rangers Lineup Against St. Johnstone?
In goal, Croatian shot-stopper Ivor Pandur is expected to start between the posts for Rangers at Ibrox. Pandur remains the primary choice to command the penalty area as the team looks to rebound from conceding two goals in their previous outing.
The defensive line is anticipated to feature Dujon Sterling at right-back. Sterling has established himself as an indispensable option on the right flank when fully fit, providing balance between defensive duties and forward progression. Opposite him on the left, James Penrice is set to retain his position at left-back. Penrice has established himself in the role since joining the club during the summer transfer window, regularly contributing energy and width along the left wing.
At the heart of the defense, Olwethu Makhanya and Emmanuel Fernandez are expected to form the central pairing. South African international Makhanya delivered an individual performance of note against Dundee despite the team conceding twice. Beside him, Fernandez aims to recover from an uncharacteristically lax display against the Dees, with the center-back tasked with reinstating stability and structure to the defensive line against St. Johnstone.
How Will the Rangers Midfield and Attack Line Up at Ibrox?
The central midfield setup is projected to feature Dan Neil, Nicolas Raskin, and Kim Min-su. English midfielder Dan Neil looks to put behind a temporary lapse in concentration that contributed to Dundee’s equalising goal last Sunday. The match against St. Johnstone offers Neil an opportunity to re-establish consistency in front of the home support.
Partnering Neil in central areas, Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin continues to deliver consistent performances despite persistent transfer rumours surrounding his future. His goal against Dundee highlighted his importance in driving the team forward from midfield. Occupying the advanced attacking midfield position, South Korean international Kim Min-su is tipped to operate in the number 10 role. Kim played a central part in driving attacking play during the previous fixture, making him a prime candidate to retain creative responsibilities.
In the wide attacking areas, Djedi Gassama is expected to start on one flank following strong early-season form. European clubs demonstrated substantial interest in Gassama during the summer transfer window, but the decision by club management to retain him has proven valuable for McInnes. On the opposite flank, Moroccan international Badredine Bouanani is in line to start his second consecutive match after a goal-scoring performance against Dundee, having spent earlier portions of the campaign on the sidelines.
Leading the attack, young forward Ryan Naderi is set to spearhead the frontline in the absence of Lawrence Shankland. Naderi has stepped into the starting role during Shankland’s injury layoff, delivering steady output in central attacking areas as Rangers seek a return to winning ways.
Background of the Particular Development
The current squad situation at Rangers comes following a period of tactical transition under manager Derek McInnes. Having taken charge during a rebuilding phase, McInnes has restructured the playing squad through strategic summer recruitment while adapting to competitive demands across domestic competitions.
Summer signings such as James Penrice, Dan Neil, and Ryan Naderi were brought in to add depth and quality to the core squad. However, a series of persistent injury setbacks to key personnel—including club captain options and established starters like Lawrence Shankland, Ross McCrorie, and Jose Cifuentes—has tested the squad’s overall depth earlier than anticipated.
Rangers enter this fixture following a 2-2 draw against Dundee where defensive missteps cost them two points, allowing title rivals Celtic to maintain an advantage in the league table. The need to maintain defensive solidness while missing key defensive and midfield figures has forced McInnes to rely heavily on recent acquisitions and fringe players to keep their title challenge on track.
Predictions: How Will This Development Affect Rangers, Celtic, and St. Johnstone?
The injury situation and resulting lineup decisions carry immediate implications for several key stakeholders across the Scottish Premiership:
- Impact on Rangers: The ongoing absence of seven first-team players places heavy physical and tactical demands on the core group of fit players. While forced rotations allow younger players such as Ryan Naderi and Kim Min-su to gain essential first-team experience, sustained reliance on a depleted squad risks further fatigue and potential dropped points during a crucial stretch of the domestic season.
- Impact on Celtic: For league leaders Celtic, Rangers’ persistent squad availability issues offer a strategic advantage in the title race. Any further drop in points by a weakened Rangers side provides Celtic with an opportunity to widen the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership standings.
- Impact on St. Johnstone: For St. Johnstone, facing a Rangers side missing seven regular starters presents an unexpected opportunity to disrupt the opposition at Ibrox. Targeting areas of recent vulnerability, particularly in central defense and midfield transitions, could enable the visiting side to secure vital away points in their own league campaign.
