St. Mirren-Rangers – Premiership 2023/2024 Statistical Preview
Probable Lineups
Missing Players
St. Mirren
Rangers
Team News
St. Mirren
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson made two changes to the Saints side that lost 2-1 at home to Hearts, before the Buddies were battered 3-0 at Parkhead against Celtic the weekend before last. Zach Hemming continued in goal behind an unchanged back three of Richard Taylor, Alex Gogic and Marcus Fraser. Scott Tanser started at left wing-back and Elvis Bwomono at right wing-back respectively, but the Ugandan was forced off in Glasgow.
Caolan Boyd-Munce kept his place in midfield, joined by the incoming club captain Mark O’Hara who replaced the ineligible Kwon Hyeok-Kyu against his parent club. Mikael Mandron dropped onto the bench as Keanu Baccus also entered midfield. Greg Kiltie supported Saints’ sole striker Toyosi Olusanya up front.
Rangers
Rangers boss Philippe Clement made four changes after the Gers were held at Dens Park against Dundee in a goalless draw, before they progressed into the Scottish Cup final after beating Hearts 2-0 at Hampden on Sunday. Leon Balogun joined John Souttar at the heart of the Gers defence, with James Tavernier and Dujon Sterling continuing at right-back and left-back respectively. Mohamed Diomande came back into midfield, at Tom Lawrence’s expense.
Rabbi Matondo took Fabio Silva’s place on the left hand side of midfield. Abdallah Sima limped off at the national stadium, the only downside to Rangers’ afternoon. Kemar Roofe made way for Cyriel Dessers to start in attack, and he bagged a brace against the Jambos at the weekend.
Match Facts
Sponsored Rangers win or draw – 1.08
Rangers win/win – 2.05
Rangers win – 1.36
Prediction
St Mirren are winless in four Scottish Premiership matches and host a Rangers team in Paisley on Sunday that have won just one of their last four league games as the Gers have slipped to second.
The Buddies will be hoping to bounce back from a tough run of matches in which they spurned a two-goal lead at Kilmarnock, were pegged back by Motherwell at Fir Park, lost at home to Hearts before being swept aside by Celtic in Glasgow. Saints are yet to score in three league meetings with Rangers this season, two in Paisley as they’ve lost by three goals, two goals and a sole goal.
Rangers kept their hopes of at least a domestic double alive, as they booked their spot in the Scottish Cup final as the Old Firm go head-to-head at Hampden in Scotland’s showpiece fixture for the first time since 2002. However the Gers have faltered in the league and, having fallen three points behind Celtic, must win in order to apply extra pressure to the Hoops in Dundee later on.
St Mirren are out-of-sorts at the minute and have a poor recent record against Rangers. The Gers must win in Paisley or they’ll feel the Scottish Premiership trophy slipping further away from them.
