OPINION
Rangers will go top of the league on Sunday and throw down a marker for Celtic, who will be busy trying to win the Scottish League Cup against Aberdeen.
But we think it’s time for Gerrard to make changes – and some fairly radical ones.
It might seem crazy to suggest dropping Alfredo Morelos but playing Kyle Lafferty is good for two reasons.
Firstly, he knows Hearts inside out and will be super-motivated to score against them. He needs some minutes and those minutes should come on Sunday.
Secondly, this could get a bit tasty. Connor Goldson has already come out and said they don’t like Hearts and Hearts don’t like them. For that reason it would be wise to give hothead Morelos a rest and use him off the bench if needed. The fixtures are coming thick and fast at the moment with four games in two weeks, culminating in the must-win Rapid Vienna clash. It’s crucial Morelos is primed for that.
We also think Ovie Ejaria should come back in for Lassana Coulibaly. Coulibaly wasn’t at the races on Thursday and whether Ejaria was dropped for disciplinary reasons or not (Gerrard says not), he should come back in on Sunday.
In defence, Flanagan should get another shot at left-back. Despite the majority of Rangers fans screaming at him on Twitter, he wasn’t terrible on Thursday, he just made a few key mistakes.
The same can be said for Joe Worrall. He was the better of the two central defenders on Thursday and he must be given a chance to partner Gareth McAuley in the latest round of centre-back musical chairs.
It means Lassana Coulibaly, Alfredo Morelos and Connor Goldson missing out,
This is the starting XI that will take Rangers top of the league and keep their best players fit:
