Scottish Cup
Apr 25, 2021 6.30pm
1
1
HT : 0 0
ET Ibrox Stadium
  • Alfredo Morelos 36' yellowcard
  • Joe Aribo 71' yellowcard
  • James Tavernier 117' goal
  • yellowcard Jason Kerr 36'
  • yellowcard David Wotherspoon 45'+1'
  • yellowcard Ali McCann 55'
  • yellowcard Chris Kane 90'+2'
  • goal Chris Kane 120'+2'

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

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

Rangers and St Johnstone will battle for a spot in the Scottish FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday, just four days after their 1-1 draw in league action.

The hosts recently confirmed their first Scottish league title in 10 years, and manager Steven Gerrard has firmly set his sights on achieving the double with a cup title, having dumped Old Firm rivals Celtic out at the round-of-16 stage.


Match preview

Rangers advanced to the final eight with a 2-0 win over Old Firm rivals Celtic last Sunday.

Steven Davis opened the scoring after just 10 minutes, before a Jonjoe Kenny own goal sealed a third Old Firm victory of the season for Steven Gerrard's side.

Before that, the Gers progressed through the third round with a 4-0 win over Cove Rangers, as Kemar Roofe netted a brace alongside goals from Jermaine Defoe and Nathan Patterson.

That came after the Gers secured their first Scottish League title in 10 years, having gone unbeaten so far in league action this season.

Gerrard has firmly set his sight on the Scottish cup now, as he looks to achieve a domestic double in his second full season in professional management.

To do that, his team will have to get past a St Johnstone side who held them to a draw on Wednesday.

The visitors will be encouraged by the recent result, as the two sides went head-to-head in league action at McDiarmid Park.

The Gers looked set to see out a 1-0 win thanks to Scott Wright's opener, until the hosts won a penalty in the 95th minute, which Liam Craig converted to seal an impressive point for his side against the new champions.

Callum Davidson's side progressed to the final eight with a 2-0 win over third-tier Clyde, as Guy Melamed and Michael O'Halloran fired their side through.

The Saints will now look to overcome the odds and get past the favourites on Sunday, as they hope to book their place in the semi-finals.

Rangers Scottish Cup form:
  • W
  • W

Rangers form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D

St Johnstone Scottish Cup form:
  • W
  • W

St Johnstone form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D


Team News

With Gerrard's main focus now on the Scottish Cup, he is likely to field his strongest side on Sunday.

That could see Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent lead the line, while attacking midfielder Ianis Hagi will also be pushing for a spot in the starting lineup.

At the other end of the pitch, Connor Goldson and Filip Helander have formed a formidable centre-back pairing, conceding just 12 goals in 35 league games.

The St Johnstone line will be led by Stevie May, who has topped their scoring charts with 10 goals in all competitions this season.

Meanwhile, Davidson opted to go with a defensive system of three centre-backs to cope with the threat of Rangers on Wednesday, and he could look to do the same on Sunday.

That could see Jason Kerr, Liam Gordon and Jamie McCart play at the back, shielding Zander Clark in their goal.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

McGregor; Patterson, Goldson, Helander, Barisic; Aribo, Davis, Arfield; Hagi, Morelos, Kent

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Clarke; Kerr, Gordon, McCart; Rooney, McCann, Wotherspoon, Craig, Booth; May, Melamed


We say: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone

Steven Gerrard's side have the domestic double in their sights and, despite their resilient nature, we do not see St Johnstone getting in their way.

The Gers will look to go one better than the recent draw with a dominant victory to book their place in the final four, and go one step closer to that double.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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POLL
Who will win Friday's Scottish Cup clash between Rangers and St Johnstone?
Rangers 80%
Draw 13%
St Johnstone 7%
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