Rangers manager Derek McInnes is considering handing a debut to deadline-day signing Badredine Bouanani for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against St Mirren. The Daily Record reports the Algerian winger could feature in a predicted starting eleven as the Gers look to close a five-point gap on leaders Celtic.
McInnes must navigate significant injury concerns, with captain and top scorer Lawrence Shankland facing up to four months out. The manager also revealed on-loan Aston Villa right back Kosta Nedeljkovic is carrying a knock so the Serb might not be risked. This forces a reshuffle for a side sitting third in the Premiership with 10 points from five games.
Who will replace the injured Lawrence Shankland?
The absence of Lawrence Shankland creates a major void in Rangers' attack. The club's reported near-£10 million signing of Venezuelan frontman Kevin Kelsy from Portland Timbers now carries even more weight, though his integration timeline is unclear. In the short term, Bojan Miovski is a strong contender to lead the line against St Mirren.
Another option comes from the form of German attacker Ryan Naderi. He impressed in the recent 1-0 win over Motherwell, winning 12 of his 18 duels for a team-high 66.7% success rate. His physical presence could be valuable against a stubborn St Mirren defence. You can view the full squad options on the club's squad page.
What is the predicted Rangers lineup?
Record Sport said: "Here, Record Sport picks out a likely starting line-up for the visit of the Buddies." Their predicted XI features several changes from the side that thrashed St Mirren 5-1 in the Premier Sports Cup earlier this season. The lineup is: Pandur; Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Penrice; Neil, Raskin; Bouanani, Kim, Gassama; Naderi.
This selection would see Badredine Bouanani, who joined on loan from Stuttgart, make his first start after only a few training sessions. It also positions Ryan Naderi as the central striker. The defensive unit is reshuffled due to Nedeljkovic's fitness issue.
How does this match fit into Rangers' season?
This home fixture is a vital opportunity for Rangers to build momentum before a huge week. Seven days after hosting St Mirren, they face Celtic in a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox. The following weekend brings a Scottish Premiership clash at Parkhead. Securing three points here is non-negotiable.
Rangers' league form shows three wins, one draw, and one loss from their opening five matches. They have scored eight goals and conceded five, giving them a +3 goal difference. Maintaining their recent form of LWDWW is essential to keep pressure on the teams above them in the standings.
What are the key injury concerns for both sides?
For Rangers, the long-term loss of Lawrence Shankland overshadows all other issues. Kosta Nedeljkovic's knock adds to defensive selection headaches. St Mirren travel to Ibrox with their own significant absentee list, which includes Keanu Baccus, Killian Phillips, Liam Donnelly, and Malik Dijksteel. These injuries will test the depth of both squads.
The visitors will be desperate to improve on their heavy cup defeat at this venue. For McInnes, the focus is on finding a winning formula without his captain. After this match, Rangers' next Premiership fixture is an away trip to face Dundee, who are currently sixth, on December 26th. You can see the full schedule on the fixtures page.
