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Rangers FC away to St. Mirren Friday, 05 February 2010 17:45 Written by Nvager

Saint Mirren versus Rangers in the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup at Greenhill Road (New Love Street) Paisley, on Saturday, February 6th, 2010. Kick-off 12:30 PM.

If we want to win the treble - and we do - this is another must win game. We do not want a replay so a draw is no good.

After Kilmarnock beating Celtic earlier in the week and our own hard tussle with St. Mirren ten days or so ago, you can be sure that Gus McPherson has St. Mirren well up for this one.

This St. Mirren team knocked out Celtic here last season, so they know a win is not beyond them if we do not play to our best standards.

It will be a rip roaring cup tie and Billy Mehmet and others will be challenging hard for every ball that comes into our penalty area.

This Rangers team has only lost one league game all season. They are fighters and I expect Walter will have them ready for the challenge.

The next question is what team will Walter put out? I think he will play his strongest side even though we have a tricky game at Motherwell on Wednesday night.

Weir is suspended so I expect that Bougherra and Wilson will be our central defensive partnership. I also suspect that Broadfoot, an ex St. Mirren player, may play at RB. At LB I wonder if Papac is fit? I believe S. Smith will start and Papac will be rested.

The midfield may consist of Whittaker or Novo out wide depending on Novo's fitness. I would have Novo on the bench. Davis and McCulloch will be in midfield and we have a choice of Thomson, Fleck or Wylde at LM/L winger. I think Walter will play with Thomson, but I am not certain.

Miller is fit, but should we risk him? I think Walter will, hoping to build a lead that will allow him to replace Miller at some point in the game.
Up front and alongside Miller we have a choice of Lafferty/Naismith/Fleck/Little. Lafferty has been poor and scored no goals after a good number of games. He looks short of confidence in his overall play. On the other hand if he does manage to score his confidence will soar.

After all that I believe Walter will not experiment too much and may well play this team:
McGregor, Whittaker/Broadfoot, Bougherra, Wilson, Smith, Whittaker/Novo, Davis, McCulloch, Thomson, Miller and Naismith.

All in all a tough cup tie, but I believe the score will be St. Mirren 1- 2 Rangers

If we can do better, which is definitely possible, then hopefully some of the younger players will come on and Miller will be taken off sometime in the second half. My great wish is that no-one gets injured and we win the tie in style.

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