Preview: Rangers vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups

Rangers will look to build further momentum on Wednesday evening when they play host to St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

The recently-crowned Scottish League Cup winners trail Celtic by five points at a time when the visitors sit in eighth position in the standings.

Match preview

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Upon arriving at Rangers, Philippe Clement may have felt that it would take time to rejuvenate a team that were inconsistent under predecessor Michael Beale.

Instead, the Belgian has instigated a remarkable turnaround that has seen Rangers win their Europa League group and lift the Scottish League Cup.

Playing a cup final on the back of the thrilling 3-2 triumph at Real Betis would not have been easy for the Glasgow giants, yet they successfully came through with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Hampden Park three days later.

James Tavernier's second-half goal ended a 13-year wait for another League Cup trophy, and it has provided Rangers with a further lift ahead of attempting to chase down Celtic in the top flight.

With two matches in hand, Rangers sit five points adrift of their rivals and frontrunners, and three more victories would increase the stakes ahead of the next Old Firm derby on December 30.

While Rangers are on a five-match winning streak, St Johnstone will be delighted with their own form since the start of November.

Just two defeats - to Hearts and Celtic - have been suffered in eight matches in all competitions, Craig Levein having the desired effect since his arrival last month.

More recently, St Johnstone have collected seven points from their last three league fixtures, keeping two clean sheets in 1-0 wins and the other point coming away at Motherwell.

Now within six points of the top five, Levein and his St Johnstone players will be confident of kicking on and becoming a factor in the race for the European places.

Team News

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Clement will consider making several alterations to his Rangers side in order to keep players fresh during a hectic period.

Ben Davies and John Souttar are both alternatives for the centre of defence, while Rabbi Matondo and Sam Lammers could be involved further forward.

However, Jose Cifuentes will miss out as he serves the second of his two-match domestic suspension.

Meanwhile, Levein may be prepared to select the same St Johnstone XI after their victory over Hibernian last time out.

Having been introduced as late substitutes in that game, Chris Kane, Andy Considine and Sven Sprangler appear most likely to be handed a recall if Levein wishes to make an alteration.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Sterling, Lundstram; Matondo, Cantwell, Sima; Lammerss

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Mitov; McGowan, Gordon, Robinson; Franczak, Smith, Phillips; Gallacher; Kucheryavyi; Carey, Jaiyesimi

We say: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone

On the back of two energy-sapping occasions, Clement may look to rotate his squad on Wednesday. Nevertheless, we have to back the home side to come through with three points, even if it may not be in entertaining fashion.

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