Silva starts, Sima and a right-sided surprise? Rangers vs Hibs predicted line-up

Philippe Clement’s side can return to the top of the league with a victory, having not played in the competition since their 2-1 home defeat against Motherwell earlier this month.

The club’s final game before the international break, an away trip to Dundee, was suspended due to a waterlogged pitch.

With a positive injury update issued during yesterday’s press conference, here’s how the Belgian could set up his side later this afternoon.

Joshua Barrie

While no Ridvan is a blow, given the Turkish left-back has been one of his side’s best players since the turn of the year, the news that Abdallah Sima, Ross McCausland, Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell are all back provides Clement with some much-needed reinforcements.

The only change in defence will see Borna Barisic replace Ridvan. The Croatian, who looks to be on his way out of the club this summer, endured a nightmare performance on his last start against Kilmarnock in late February and will need to show better levels in the season’s final weeks.

In midfield, expect Mohamed Diomande to partner John Lundstram as usual. Tom Lawrence playing in a deeper role is another avenue Clement may opt for.

Todd Cantwell returned from injury before the international break so should be fit and firing from the off. Ross McCausland won’t play the full 90 minutes but, given he too was on the bench before the break and travelled with Northern Ireland over the break, could provide a solution on the right.

That leaves the in-form Fabio Silva to continue from the left as Cyriel Dessers leads the line in attack. However given both players were heavily involved over the break, don’t be surprised if Clement keeps one to feature from the bench.

Chris Jack

There was a welcome change on Friday afternoon as Philippe Clement was able to confirm some positive news on the injury front ahead of the visit of Hibernian. At long last, the Ibrox fitness curse shows signs of lifting. Given the importance of the next few weeks, it has not come a moment too soon for Clement.

The returns of Abdallah Sima, Dujon Sterling, Ross McCausland and Kieran Dowell are all welcome. Their game time will be carefully managed, though, and it would be a surprise if any of the quartet get more than half an hour at Ibrox.

Ridvan Yilmaz won’t feature at all after adding his name to the walking wounded list during the international break. Borna Barisic will start against Hibernian and time will tell if he gets the nod next weekend for a huge Old Firm showdown with Celtic.

In time, Clement will have decisions to make over key positions. The side all-but picks itself for this one. The other members of the defensive unit are established, the partnership between John Lundstram and Mohamed Diomande is going from strength to strength and Fabio Silva and Cyriel Dessers need to start. Todd Cantwell could get the shirt ahead of Tom Lawrence and Scott Wright will take the final spot before he is overtaken a handful of returning stars.

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