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Rangers predicted XI vs Saint-Etienne as new signings set for first Ibrox outing

· Alistair Gordon · 2026-07-22 · nguồn gốc

Rangers predicted XI vs Saint-Etienne as new signings set for first Ibrox outing ahead of penultimate friendly Here’s how we think Derek McInnes will set up his starting XI Rangers will face Ligue 2 side Saint-Etienne in their penultimate pre-season friendly of the season in front of a home crowd at Ibrox as boss Derek McInnes finalises preparations for the season ahead. Over a month since his appointment, the new gaffer has now had plenty of time to get to know his squad for the upcoming campaign, which kicks off against Dundee United at Tannadice on July 31. Rangers will also face West Ham in a friendly at home before the official beginning of the domestic season. The club have spent the last few weeks at warm-weather training camp in Spain without the players who featured at the World Cup, however they’ve since returned and will be within selection contention for Wednesday night. New signings Lawrence Shankland, Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur, Dan Neil and Cammy Devlin should all be available. The Saint-Etienne test will allow some of the new signings to step in front of the Ibrox crowd in a Rangers jersey for the first time and also help some of the existing players get back to match fitness. While McInnes is expected to utilise the majority of his squad over the 90 minutes, here’s how we think he might set up from the beginning: GK - Liam Kelly Pandur’s late arrival may lead to the back up stopper playing from the start, but the Croatia international is expected to play a part at some point. RB - Ross McCrorie The first signing of the McInnes era has big shoes to fill after taking over from iconic skipper James Tavernier. CB - Ben Godfrey Atalanta loanee was brought into bring some pace to the back line. Would expect him to start the majority of games this season, if fit. CB - Emmanuel Fernandez Back to full fitness after a knee complaint. A huge year is ahead for last season’s Player of the Year. LB - Tuur Rommens Another position where Rangers lack depth makes the Belgian the only viable option on the left hand side of the defence. CM - Tochi Chukwuani The Dane now has some competition in the middle of the park with several other physical presences in there. But we think he’ll get the nod on Wednesday. CM - Dan Neil Like Pandur, returning World Cup star Devlin is expected to play a part, just not from the get-go. Ex Sunderland man knows what it likes to play in front of a passionate home crowd. RM - Mohamed Diomande A McInnes-type player that’s already in the building. He was presumably slightly shorter on minutes than he’d have liked last season and will therefore have something to prove. LM - Nedim Bajrami Another who rarely featured last season but now has a clean slate. Has shown in the past he possesses quality. ST - Lawrence Shankland His partner in crime last season was Hearts’ Claudio Braga, question is, who will it be at Ibrox? The Scotland international could be given the captain’s armband for this one. ST - Ryan Naderi Youssef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski will undoubtedly play a part, but the physicality of the German would give Rangers an obvious out ball.