Rangers vs Aberdeen predicted line-ups: Dessers and Ridvan to start

Michael Beale's side progressed to the Semi-Final of the Viaplay Cup on Wednesday night with a convincing 4-0 win over Livingston. The only negative from the game was Kemar Roofe's enforced substitution. The forward will have a scan on his groin after being replaced by Cyriel Dessers at half time.

How many other changes will Beale make to his starting 11 for the visit of Barry Robson's men?

Joshua Barrie

Especially when held up against the weekend's showing, Wednesday offered Beale plenty more to hold onto from a performance perspective. 

As covered yesterday on the Rangers Review the dynamics on either side led to a far more fluid showing on the ball and as such, minimal changes should be expected today at Ibrox with a healthy break until the next fixture. 

Jack Butland has been this side's most consistent performer since the start of the season. Ahead of him with Borna Barisic likely to play on Thursday in Cyrpus, Ridvan Yilmaz deserves to keep his spot at left-back. Ben Davies, Connor Goldson and James Tavernier will make up the compliment. 

In the midfield options remain limited due to injuries so with that said, expect John Lundstram and Ryan Jack to play again, with Jose Cifuentes continuing in the right-sided channel where he appeared comfortable in midweek. 

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Sam Lammers will likely play off the right side of a front three as well with Abdallah Sima deserving of the spot on the left. Roofe's injury means that Cyriel Dessers gains the starting No.9 spot - offering him an afternoon to win over some factions of the support who remain unconvinced.

Chris Jack 

Michael Beale admitted on Friday afternoon that he has a decision to make over who starts at left-back against Aberdeen. One reason for that is the form that Barisic has shown so far this season but the way in which Ridvan took his chance against Livingston clearly must come into the thinking as well.

Given that Yilmaz is unable to feature next Thursday night in Cyprus, it would make sense for him to start at Ibrox. He deserves another chance to show the home crowd what he is capable of, and Beale can then keep Barisic in reserve ahead of the second fixture in the Europa League.

The rest of the side almost picks itself in many regards. The midfield berth alongside Lundstram could come down to Cifuentes or Jack, who himself made an impression in midweek.

Up front, the full extent of Roofe’s injury is not known yet and the man who replaced him at half-time on Wednesday night, Cyriel Dessers, will take his spot from the start this time around.