Rangers vs Kilmarnock predicted line up as Balogun set to partner Souttar

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Leon Balogun of Rangers celebrates at full time during the UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Play-Offs Leg Two match between Rangers FC and Borussia Dortmund at Ibrox Stadium on February 24, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Leon Balogun of Rangers celebrates at full time during the UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Play-Offs Leg Two match between Rangers FC and Borussia Dortmund at Ibrox Stadium on February 24, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It’s final time!! The start of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership is upon us, and for Rangers, it all kicks off with an evening trip to Ayrshire against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

With nine new signings in the door, the game presents the perfect ‘Welcome to Scottish football’ for this crop of players, with the plastic Rugby Park pitch always a challenge for anyone who steps out onto it.

For all the talk of a new fluid tactical approach by Michael Beale, this match really could be a real war of attrition, with three points a necessity to put a marker down for the season ahead.

Whilst some areas of the starting 11 should pick themselves, there remains a few positions that could be up for grabs in this one, especially as the match is a bit too soon for Jose Cifuentes to debut following his official unveiling yesterday.

With that being said, here is the Inside Ibrox team’s predicted Rangers line-up for the Premiership opener.

Steven Wilson: 4-3-1-2

Goalkeeper: Jack Butland

Defence: James Tavernier, John Souttar, Leon Balogun, Ridvan Yilmaz

Midfield: Todd Cantwell, Nico Raskin, Ryan Jack

Attacking Midfield: Sam Lammers

Attack: Danilo, Cyriel Dessers

Scott McKay: 4-3-1-2

Goalkeeper: Jack Butland

Defence: James Tavernier, John Souttar, Leon Balogun, Ridvan Yilmaz

Midfield: Todd Cantwell, Nico Raskin, Kieran Dowell

Attacking Midfield: Sam Lammers

Attack: Cyriel Dessers, Abdallah Sima

Kai Watson: 4-3-1-2

Goalkeeper: Jack Butland

Defence: James Tavernier, John Souttar, Leon Balogun, Ridvan Yilmaz

Midfield: Todd Cantwell, Nico Raskin, Ryan Jack

Attacking Midfield: Sam Lammers

Attack: Danilo, Cyriel Dessers

Jamie Currie: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Jack Butland

Defence: James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, John Souttar, Ridvan Yilmaz

Midfield: Ryan Jack, Nico Raskin

Attacking Midfield: Abdallah Sima, Sam Lammers, Todd Cantwell

Attack: Danilo

James Black: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Jack Butland

Defence: James Tavernier, John Souttar, Leon Balogun, Borna Barisic

Midfield: Nico Raskin, John Lundstram

Attacking Midfield: Abdallah Sima, Sam Lammers, Todd Cantwell

Attack: Danilo

Ross Kilvington: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Jack Butland

Defence: James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, John Souttar, Ridvan Yilmaz

Midfield: Ryan Jack, Nico Raskin

Attacking Midfield: Abdallah Sima, Sam Lammers, Todd Cantwell

Attack: Danilo

Most predicted starters

6: Jack Butland, James Tavernier, Todd Cantwell, Nico Raskin, Sam Lammers, John Souttar

5: Ridvan Yilmaz, Danilo

4: Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack, Abdallah Sima

3: Cyriel Dessers

2: Connor Goldson

1: Borna Barisic, John Lundstram, Kieran Dowell