22/12/2024

Rangers predicted line-ups: Abdallah Sima to replace injured Danilo against Dundee

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Rangers predicted line-ups: Abdallah Sima to replace injured Danilo against Dundee

Our writers predict the team Philippe Clement is likely to pick for tomorrow's meeting with Dundee.

Our writers predict the team Philippe Clement is likely to pick for tomorrow's meeting with Dundee.

Philippe Clement will approach tomorrow's meeting with Dundee trying to solve an even greater 'puzzle' than in recent weeks.

Danilo and Tom Lawrence have been ruled out until at least the new year with injury, leaving the Rangers manager light up top. The pair both picked up injuries against Hearts in midweek.

How will the Belgian coach aim to address the absences and who will play in their place?

Our writers predict their teams below.

Joshua Barrie

The news surrounding Danilo's injury is a major blow for Rangers. Although the Brazilian has missed great opportunities in front of goal as of late and hasn't scored in nearly a month, the team has improved since his return thanks to the movement he provides at the top end of the pitch, pressing off the ball and link-up from the top.

The question is, who plays in his place? Cyriel Dessers has struggled since his summer arrival, Kemar Roofe cannot be counted upon and although Abdallah Sima seems the popular choice, he's routinely played as a second No.9 from the left. 

Clement said when quizzed on the possibility of moving the 22-year-old into a central position: "I cannot say something honestly about that because I haven't had the chance to put him as the central striker in training, for example, because we didn't have enough wingers at the moment to take him out of that position."

Will Rabbi Matondo come into the team and allow Sima to move centrally? This writer expects it's as likely to be the front four that started against St Mirren last weekend, with Dessers filling in up top, even if many would prefer to see Sima move centrally.

Derek Clark 

The news that Danilo is out with a knee injury is a massive blow for an already depleted squad.

He may have missed two sitters against Hearts on Wednesday but the Brazilian is still Rangers' best attacking option. It means a likely opportunity for Kemar Roofe and Cyriel Dessers to step up to the plate. Given Clement said Roofe isn't fit enough to play 90 minutes we can assume Dessers will get the nod.

Tom Lawrence's injury also means there is a gap in the engine room. Jose Cifuentes did well when he came on for the Welshman in midweek and will surely continue alongside John Lundstram. It would be good to see Bailey Rice make the squad and potentially contribute at some stage also.

That aside, don't expect too many changes, quite simply because there are few options available at present.

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