OPINION
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard must axe Scott Arfield from his starting line-up to take on St Johnstone on Sunday, even though the Canada international scored in the 2-2 draw with Villarreal this week.
Arfield, 29, has hardly been in convincing form since joining the Gers in the summer, so he must be replaced by Graham Dorrans in the centre of midfield after the former West Brom star shone in his first appearance of the season in Spain on Thursday.
Joe Worrall and Ryan Kent should also be dropped from the side after underwhelming performances in the Europa League draw, with Nikola Katic and Alfredo Morelos returning to Gerrard’s starting line-up to give the Gers the best chance of victory.
Allan McGregor has been in great form this season and must start in goals behind a familiar back-four of James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Katic and Barisic.
Rarely-seen midfielder Dorrans should join Andy Halliday and Lassana Coulibaly in the centre of the midfield.
Not only should Arfield be dropped on the basis of his form, the midfielder, who is earning £25,000-a-week as reported by Football Insider, could also benefit from the rest having played a lot of football this season.
In attack, Kyle Lafferty and Daniel Candeias should play on the wings in support of Morelos up front.
Lafferty is not a natural winger, but he can play in that position and it would put a lot of pressure on St Johnstone’s backline if Gerrard was to start the club’s two top strikers against them.