Inside Ibrox
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Rangers vs Olympiacos predicted line-up as Roofe and Yfeko could feature from start

By Steven Wilson

SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 18: Kemar Roofe of Rangers applauds the fans following the penalty shoot out defeat in the UEFA Europa League final match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 18, 2022 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 18: Kemar Roofe of Rangers applauds the fans following the penalty shoot out defeat in the UEFA Europa League final match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 18, 2022 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /
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It’s the final home game of pre-season as Rangers welcome Greek outfit Olympiacos for the third and final game at Ibrox before the season kicks off officially in less than two weeks.

Whilst fans are understandably filled with excitement over the imminent arrival of new signings Jose Cifuentes and Danilo, they will hope to see a more complete performance from the side, with the preceding games with Newcastle and Hamburg showing flashes of what they new look side is capable of, whilst also lacking the full sharpness and legs that will come the more the side plays together.

With that being said, here is the starting 11 us at Inside Ibrox predict will start the game vs Olympiacos.

Goalkeeper

With Jack Butland playing the full 90 minutes on Saturday against Hamburg, Wednesday night could provide a chance for Robby McCrorie to stake his claim.

Reports suggest that the Scottish goalkeeper has told Michael Beale he’d like to leave to get guaranteed starts at this stage of career. But whilst he is still at Ibrox, he will still be counted on to contribute and will relish the chance to either show why he should be Number 1, or put himself further in the shop window.

Defence

The full back positions should write themselves once again, with captain James Tavernier and Ridvan Yilmaz occupying these spots as they most likely will be Rugby Park a week from Saturday.

In the central berths, Ben Davies will most likely be given a rest having started both pre-seasons fixtures so far, whilst it is probably too soon for Leon Balogun to play two games in quick succession.

This should mean that John Souttar will come back in, and could be partnered with a man who Beale admitted on Saturday has made him re-think his squad depth in the form of young Johnly Yfeko.

Midfield

With the impending arrival of Cifuentes, competition in this area of the park will only increase, so many of the Rangers midfield will be hoping to impress.

One who has already done so is Nico Raskin, and he will likely retain his place here, with Todd Cantwell in line to get back in the starting 11 having come on at half time against Hamburg.

Kieran Dowell has started the last two so he will probably be rotated out here, with Ryan Jack, who didn’t feature at all on Saturday, the most likely option to complete the central three.

Striker

They may not have started against Hamburg as I predicted, but I would expect to see Cyriel Dessers at least get the first 45 minutes here, whilst Sam Lammers will return as the 10 following his man-of-the-match showing in that game.

Saturday’s front line-up of Abdallah Sima, Rabbi Matondo and Fashion Sakala were frustrating at times on Saturday, so this game presents the perfect opportunity to fully experiment and gave a start to Kemar Roofe as the second striker, in what would be a front three capable of finding the net without an issue.

Predicted line-up: McCrorie; Tavernier, Souttar, Yfeko, Yilmaz; Jack, Raskin, Cantwell; Lammers, Dessers, Roofe

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