Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin is aiming to win back-to-back matches in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since arriving at Ibrox in the summer.
The Light Blues manager seems to be under constant pressure and recent performances and results have not done much to get any supporters who are not pleased with the direction of travel back onside.
The highlights above illustrate why there is a section of the fanbase that is less-than-pleased with the performances, because the manner of the goals that they conceded against Sturm Graz in the Europa League was not good enough.
Martin needed a stoppage-time winner from substitute Max Aarons to claim his first league win for the Light Blues last week against Livingston, as they were on the verge of failing to win a sixth successive Premiership game.
However, that win over Livingston does mean that the Gers can string back-to-back league wins together by coming out with all three points against Falkirk this afternoon.
What is the state of play of the Rangers squad heading into their last match before the international break?
The latest Rangers team news
Mohamed Diomande is back and available for selection after he was suspended for the 2-1 defeat to Sturm Graz because of his red card against Genk last week.
The Ivorian midfielder was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over Livingston in the Premiership last weekend, though, so he may have to settle for a place on the bench again today.
Another player who may return to the squad is Lyall Cameron. He came back from injury to take his place on the bench against Sturm Graz after missing the win over Livingston, and could be among the substitutes for the clash this afternoon.
Three players who may miss out, though, are Kieran Dowell, who has not featured in a squad since August, Dujon Sterling, who is out with a long-term Achilles injury, and Rabbi Matondo, who has yet to make an appearance this season.
This means that Martin should have plenty of options to pick from across the park to put a team out on the pitch that is capable of delivering a performance that results in all three points coming back to Glasgow.
GK
Jack Butland
RB
James Tavernier
CB
John Souttar
CB
Derek Cornelius
LB
Jayden Meghoma
CM
Connor Barron
CM
Nicolas Raskin
CM
Thelo Aasgaard
RW
Oliver Antman
ST
Youssef Chermiti
LW
Djeidi Gassama
The Light Blues head coach may want to make some alterations to the starting line-up, as shown in the table above, from the 2-1 loss in Austria on Thursday night.
Martin’s side gave up three ‘big chances’ to the hosts, per Sofascore, and only created one of their own in the 90 minutes, which shows that they struggled defensively and offensively.
With this in mind, we have taken a look at some of the changes that the former Southampton boss could make to the XI for this clash with Falkirk, as Rangers look to head into the international break off the back of a win.
The Rangers changes Martin should make to face Falkirk
Starting off between the sticks, Jack Butland should keep his place in spite of an error for Sturm Graz’s opening goal. The former England international made a series of impressive saves that kept the scoreline down in Austria.
Martin may also stick with the exact same defensive line of James Tavernier, John Souttar, Derek Cornelius, and Jayden Meghoma, because there are not many suitable alternatives.
Tavernier, as captain, should keep his place. Meghoma is the only natural left-back in the squad, Cornelius is the only natural left-sided centre-back, and Nasser Djiga has not done enough in his performances this season to suggest that he can outperform Souttar.
However, the Rangers head coach may make three changes to his starting line-up further up the field in the midfield and the attack, starting with the middle of the park.
Thelo Aasgaard could finally be dropped from the starting XI after starting the last seven matches in the Premiership and the Europa League combined without delivering a single goal or assist.
His lack of contributions at the top end of the pitch should see him removed from the line-up, which could open the door for Nedim Bajrami to start in the left-sided central midfield position.
The Albania international scored against Alloa Athletic in his only start of the season in the League Cup, curling the ball into the top corner with a brilliant finish.
This suggests that the former Sassuolo star could offer more of a threat in the final third than Aasgaard has, as the summer signing from Luton is yet to score or assist a goal for the club.
Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron could keep their places in the starting line-up in midfield next to Bajrami, but there could be two alterations to the front three.
Gassama, after scoring against Sturm Graz on Thursday, could keep his place in the starting XI, but the last game before the break could see Martin hand youngster Findlay Curtis a rare chance to impress.
The Scotland U21 international has scored three goals in all competitions this season, a return only Gassama has bettered out of the attackers, and could replace Oliver Antman to provide the Finnish winger with a rest before international duty.
Martin’s third and final change to the starting line-up could come in the centre-forward position, after Youssef Chermiti failed to impress from the start against Sturm Graz.
Appearances
2
2
Starts
0
2
Goals
0
0
Big chances created
0
0
Assists
0
0
Ground duel success rate
14%
33%
Aerial duel success rate
0%
38%
As you can see in the table above, the £8m signing from Everton has struggled in and out of possession for the Light Blues in the Premiership and the Europa League since his move in the summer.
This is why Bojan Miovski should be brought back into the XI, because the Macedonia international is a proven Premiership performer who may just need something to go his way to start hitting form.
The left-footed star, as shown in the graphic above, proved his quality in Scottish football during his time with Aberdeen, but it is now down to him to show it for the Gers.
Miovski’s only goal for Rangers to date came against Hibernian in the League Cup, whilst Chermiti is yet to score for the club, and he will be hoping to add his first league goal this afternoon.
Predicted Rangers XI to face Falkirk: Jack Butland; James Tavernier (C), John Souttar, Derek Cornelius, Jayden Meghoma; Connor Barron, Nicolas Raskin, Nedim Bajrami; Findlay Curtis, Bojan Miovski, Djeidi Gassama