- Ryan Naderi’s injury leaves Danny Rohl short of attacking options ahead of Rangers’ crucial trip to Falkirk.
- Formation change looms as Rangers weigh up sticking with two strikers or reverting to a 4-2-3-1 system.
- Injuries create opportunity for fringe players as Rangers enter six decisive matches in the run-in.
Danny Rohl faces a team-selection and formation dilemma ahead of Rangers trip to Falkirk, with Ryan Naderi confirmed to be sidelined by a muscle injury.
That leaves the German head coach with only two recognised striking options: Youssef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski.
Rohl insists that “hope is always there” regarding Naderi playing some part in the run-in, but he could not commit to a return date, suggesting that a scan in two weeks will provide greater clarity.
With additional injuries likely to keep wingers Andreas Skov Olsen and Mikey Moore out of the visit to Falkirk Stadium, the Ibrox boss may be forced into sweeping changes.
Rangers formation options
Tactically, Rohl has preferred a front two in a 4-2-2-2 system, with Naderi and Chermiti his usual pairing.
Miovski, meanwhile, has not started a Premiership match since the win over Kilmarnock in early February.
If Rangers are to persist with the two-striker shape, Rohl will need to place his faith in the Macedonian forward.
The drawback, however, is that it would leave him with no recognised striking cover on the bench.
The alternative is a change of formation.
Early in his Ibrox tenure, Rohl used a 3-2-4-1 shape, but given the recent stability of the back four, particularly the central defensive partnership of Emmanuel Fernandez and Nasser Djiga, a return to that system appears unlikely.
A more realistic solution would be a switch back to the classic 4-2-3-1, the shape most associated with Rangers over the past decade.
That would likely allow Thelo Aasgaard, fresh from a goal and assist against Dundee United, to operate just behind Chermiti.
Fringe options
With options out wide limited, Oliver Antman is expected to start on the right, with Djeidi Gassama on the opposite flank, or vice versa.
Nedim Bajrami, absent from matchday squads since Celtic’s Scottish Cup win at Ibrox, also remains an option on either wing.
However, it remains to be seen if Rohl feels he can trust the Albanian again.
Dujon Sterling and James Tavernier could each be deployed on the right flank while the other fills in defensively.
Rohl also confirmed that Tuur Rommens will miss the match against the Bairns, with Jayden Meghoma to continue to deputise.
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Naderi’s absence leaves Rangers short of attacking depth.
This forces Rohl into a choice between maintaining his preferred system with limited cover, or reshaping his side to make the most of the resources still available.
With six self-proclaimed “cup finals” remaining to Rohl, the injuries are piling up.
It is time for Rangers’ fringe players to show they have the mentality to step up.
Just when it matters most and the pressure is heaviest.
