Rangers have the opportunity to go top of the Scottish Premiership against Kilmarnock on Saturday, with a settled side ready to renew the domestic campaign.
This weekend starts a run of six games over five weeks, with Derek McInnes having to make three big calls for the visit of Neil McCann’s side.
Cammy Devlin carries the only injury issue, with Dujon Sterling available, as is the rest of the group which came through the international period unscathed.
What formation for Rangers?
Will it be 442 or 4231?
Overall, most of the team picks itself. There are probably only question marks over three of the attackers, which will influence the formation and vice versa.
A 442 enables continuity and picking up from where things were left at Parkhead three weeks ago.
Many fans would be happy with that, but there’s the line of thinking that Saturday’s test will require different answers and a stubborn, deep Kille defence to break down.
Does Bouanani start?
If McInnes was looking to do something different, the obvious option is to bring in Badredine Bouanani for his second start of the season.
The Algerian did not receive the call from his country, so he is fresh and will be further along the road in settling in, after a hectic late move in the final stages of the transfer window.
The on-loan Stuttgart winger carries a different threat, particularly with cross balls, as we saw against St Mirren.
Early deliveries from the right could be crucial against Kilmarnock, and he would provide a different dynamic playing alongside Dujon Sterling (as is most likely) on the right flank.
His inclusion would mean either starting without Minsu Kim, or playing the Korean in a central role – which poses another question for the front line.
Naderi, Kelsy, or both?
This will come down to the formation deployed by Derek McInnes.
If it’s the 442 that he has had much joy with in recent weeks, then both strikers will get the nod.
If you want to play Bouanani and Kim, the temptation is to share the load with just one striker as a focal point, and introduce the other later in the game. That would signal a 4231 formation.
Both strikers will be full of confidence. Ryan Naderi earned his Czech Republic debut, featuring against Spain then England, while Kevin Kelsy bagged his first senior goal for Venezuela.
After the international break, the full squad is training together for the first time on Friday. Just one day ahead of the Rangers vs Kilmarnock clash, which will see Matthew MacDermid as the man in the middle.
Rangers have options – that is a major positive for McInnes.
It’s a settled side, benefitting from consistency, so there won’t be wholesale changes.
The big calls are manageable, with the focus firmly on collecting three points at Ibrox on Saturday.
