- Tuur Rommens fitness could decide Rangers’ defensive setup for crucial Tynecastle clash.
- Danny Rohl weighing formation changes amid injury doubts and tactical pressure.
- Rangers face must-win Hearts trip in “win or bust” title pursuit.
Rangers head to Tynecastle ahead of a crucial “do or die” clash with league leaders Hearts.
The clash is “win or bust” for Danny Rohl’s men, who trail the table-toppers by four points with four fixtures remaining.
The German head coach has been called upon to make tactical and personnel changes for the trip to Gorgie, but with several key players doubtful, how will the Gers lineup for the match?
Despite some calls for Jack Butland to be dropped after a woeful statistical performance against Motherwell, he should be entrusted between the sticks in Edinburgh tomorrow.
Tuur Rommens return vital for Gers
The defence is where the big calls begin.
Dujon Sterling returned in place of departing skipper James Tavernier against the Steelmen but was culpable for their second goal.
Tavernier had been poor the prior matchday at Falkirk, conceding a penalty in the Gers 6-3 victory.
Rohl is likely to persist with Sterling but there would be no surprise if the captain is given once last chance to cement his Rangers’ legacy with a standout Tynecastle showing.
In the middle it is predictable with Nasser Djiga and Manny Fernandez to remain at the preferred pairing.
Rohl confirmed John Souttar “has more problems” ahead of the match, with a scan completed on Friday.
Should the Scotland international miss out there could be a recall to the bench for forgotten-man Derek Cornelius.
Left back is the tricky one.
Tuur Rommens has missed the previous three fixtures with injury.
Rohl confirmed the Belgian “is back in the training” but caveated this by saying “after four weeks, [we need to] see how strong the week goes now.”
Whether he is fully fit should not matter.
If Rangers are to overcome this tricky Tynecastle test, Rommens must start.
If not ready for the full 90, he can be taken off later, but the Gers need to go full pelt from the off on Monday.
The midfield battle
Onto the midfield now.
Rohl has preferred a 4-2-2-2 formation since the Gers defeated Hearts in February.
However there have been calls for a change from the likes of ex-Ranger Charlie Miller.
The nine-in-a-row hero called for a change to the pairing of just Nico Raskin and Tochi Chukwuani.
“You cannot play two players in midfield that cannot tackle or track back,” he said.
“If he goes and plays like that at Tynecastle, Hearts will run through us.”
Rohl may opt for a return to a 4-3-3 set up.
With Raskin and Chukwuani paired with Mohamed Diomande for a solid three to take on Hearts’ trio.
He may also drop the Dane and return Connor Barron to the starting XI for added solidity.
Out wide Miller also called for the duo of Thelo Aasgaard and Djeidi Gassama to be dropped.
“They two do not run hard enough that game,” he said on the pair’s displays againt Motherwell.
“They were outworked, outplayed, outfought.”
Aasgaard is likely to be dropped amid a formation change but Rohl has consistently shown faith in the Mauritania international.
Expect Gassama to continue, albeit on the right wing, while Mikey Moore returns from the off on the left.
Youssef Chermiti to go it alone
Up top it will be Youssef Chermiti.
The striker has netted six goals in his last three against Derek McInnes’s side.
Bojan Miovski was hooked at half-time versus Jens Berthal Askou’s side last week, and Rohl has shown a lack of faith in the former Aberdeen forward throughout the season.
Ryan Naderi could return to the bench for an added option late on.
“Ryan looks good,” said Rohl.
“Still some doubts for the Monday game, but good information since two weeks ago.
“It looks much, much worse than now and this is a good sign.”
Read Rangers analysis
Rangers head to Tynecastle knowing there is no margin for error, with Rohl’s men facing a defining encounter.
Trailing by four points with four games remaining, the pressure is absolute, and every selection decision carries added weight in a season reaching its decisive stage.
With uncertainty over key personnel and growing debate around structure and selection, it remains to be seen who makes the final cut for the Gers final shot at glory.
Expected lineup: Butland; Sterling, Fernandez, Djiga, Rommens; Barron, Raskin, Diomande; Moore, Gassama, Chermiti
