OPINION
Steven Gerrard must ring the changes if he wants to field his best possible starting line-up in Rangers’ Scottish Cup meeting with Cowdenbeah at Central Park on Friday night.
With next Wednesday’s trip to Kilmarnock in mind, Gerrard must make eight changes from the team that beat Celtic, and hand starts to January signings Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis so that they can gel with their new team-mates and start to get to grips with the Scottish game.
Rarely-seen left-back Lee Wallace, who has made just two appearances in all competitions this season, should also start in the side ahead of Andy Halliday so that he can be fresh for next week’s clash at Rugby Park.
Wes Foderingham should start in goals behind a back-four of Jon Flanagan, Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic and Wallace.
It would make sense to try and get Goldson and Katic used to play with one another again as speculation swirls about the future of Nottingham Forest loanee Joe Worrall.
In the four-man midfield, Daniel Candeias should keep his spot on the right-wing with Glenn Middleton returning to replace Ryan Kent on the left so that he is fresh for next week.
Scott Arfield must also stay in the side and line-up alongside Davis.
Gerrard should opt for a two-man strikeforce against Cowdenbeath.
Kyle Lafferty could be a good strike partner for Defoe and both of them could do with the start as much as each other. It is a good chance for both of them to fire in some goals and with enough creativity and width in the midfield, that should not be an issue.
If Gerrard names this team to start against Cowdenbeath, then Rangers are bound to destroy to Scottish League Two club and progress to the next round with ease.