Striker axed in Murty 4-2-2-2: Rangers best possible XI v Celtic

Fri 13 April 2018 12:00, UK

COMMENT

Rangers manager Graeme Murty will need to make one change to his starting XI if he wants to field his strongest starting XI against Celtic on Sunday in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.

The Gers boss must bring Scotland international Jason Cummings back into the side ahead of striker Kenny Miller when the Light Blues face their bitter rivals at Hampden for the right to face Aberdeen or Motherwell in next month’s final.

Goalkeeper Wes Foderingham must continue in goal despite the Gers’ tendency to rotate their ‘keeper in cup games and start Jak Alnwick.

In defence, Murty must go with the same back four who kept a clean sheet against Dundee last weekend and start James Tavernier, Ross McCrorie, Russell Martin and Declan John in front of Foderingham.

Ahead of them, Greg Docherty and Graham Dorrans should continue together – despite Docherty’s recent struggles – with Daniel Candeias and Jamie Murphy in their usual berths on either flank.

After missing the win over Dundee through injury, Josh Windass looks like he could be set to return to fitness for the Hampden clash but Murty should instead bring Cummings back into the starting line-up with Miller axed and also give Windass a place on the bench.

With Cummings’ loan deal coming to an end soon, the striker really needs to impress if he is to make a permanent switch and an Old Firm semi-final at Hampden is about as good an opportunity as he could hope for to make a mark for the Gers.