Scottish Cup action returns to Ibrox this weekend as struggling Scottish Championship side Falkirk make the trip to face Rangers in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Having won their last five matches in all competitions, the Gers are red hot favourites to see off a side that are battling relegation in the second-tier. Results may be starting to turn around for Paul Hartley’s side, but the task facing them on Sunday is enormous.
After a busy week of action against Hearts and St Johnstone, it could be an opportunity for Graeme Murty to give starts to players on the cusp of more first team action, testing them against lower-league opposition in a match that carries heavy importance.
The Lights Blues know that the Scottish Cup is their best chance of silverware this season but Murty can afford to tweak his starting eleven ahead of next weekend’s huge match at home to Celtic.
These are the THREE Rangers players who deserve a start on Sunday…
Jason Cummings
Jason Cummings has started just three times for Rangers since joining on loan from Nottingham Forest which is perhaps more a testament to the good form of Alfredo Morelos and Josh Windass rather than anything the former Hibs man has done wrong.
Two of those starts came in previous rounds of the Scottish Cup, scoring in one and assisting in the other. It’s a fair bet then that the Scottish striker wouldn’t let his side in Sunday’s action at Ibrox.
Despite being utilised plenty from the bench, the Falkirk match is a great opportunity to give him more game time and he’ll likely be extra motivated to impress given his lack of starts.
He has a great record in the competition with eight goals and five assists in 16 Scottish Cup matches across his career. He clearly thrives on knockout football and this weekend is a great chance for him to prove that again.
Andy Halliday
Andy Halliday is working hard to prove himself to Graeme Murty but with competition for places fierce the midfielder has made just two starts for the club since returning on loan from Azerbaijan.
His exile to the far reaches of European football may have ended but he isn’t quite assured of a long-term future at Rangers, something he’ll know better than anyone.
Played in an unusual position against St Johnstone on Tuesday night, this weekend’s match should be a chance for him to show what he can in the middle of the park at Ibrox, with the pressure to win high.
He has let down Gers supporters previously, but if he’s ever going to win them round he needs big performances and the match against Falkirk is a great opportunity.
Bruno Alves
Bruno Alves made his first appearance since December for Rangers this week, but it was from the substitutes bench late in the game when the match was already won.
Despite being fit to play, Graeme Murty has persisted with a David Bates and Russell Martin partnership owing to their decent form at the back of late.
Sunday’s match though is a great chance for him to remind everyone why he was a much-hyped signing last summer. With a World Cup coming up he’ll be desperate for action and motivated as a result.
Alongside Bates, who could do worse than learn next to the Portuguese star, he has more than enough about his game to see off the threat of Falkirk and it would give Russell Martin a rest ahead of next weekend’s crunch tie against Celtic.
Is time for Alves to make his high profile return to the Rangers starting line-up?