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Prematch Analysis: Rangers vs. Hibernian Friday, 27 January 2012 22:54 Written by djw1992

Saturday 28th January, 3PM, Ibrox Stadium.

It's matchday number 25 in this season's SPL, and Rangers can go to within one point of leaders Celtic with victory over Hibs this Saturday afternoon at Ibrox.  A win here would put a considerable amount of pressure on Celtic, whose next league game is away to Hearts this Wednesday, which is a traditionally tricky tie for last season's runners-up.  

Nevertheless, anything other than victory tomorrow pretty much takes away any advantage the Royal Blues can hope to gain in the next week.

Hibs at home is by no means a foregone conclusion either.  In the SPL, the Edinburgh outfit have won three times at Ibrox in the past seven years; that's more than any other Scottish club, bar Celtic.  Having said that, Hibs have struggled in recent seasons against the champions, failing to find the net in 6 of the past 7 matches.  Meanwhile, Rangers are unbeaten in 16 at Ibrox, so it will be a tough ask for Pat Fenlon's charges.

As for team news, Jelavic joins an ever increasing absentee list.  Surrounded by speculation of a £8M move away from Glasgow, the Croatian has been struck down by a bug, and will not play any part in tomorrow's encounter.  Considering the continued absence of Jelavic's regular strike partner, Kyle Lafferty, it looks almost certain that David Healy will once again start up front.  However, the silver lining to the Jelavic injury is that Mervan Çelik, signed last week, looks set to make his Ibrox bow.  Also possibly in line for a start is the Algerian, Salim Kerkar.  In recent weeks, the winger has impressed upon coming off the bench, and injuries may hand Kerkar his first Rangers start over a year after joining the club.

The opposition can empathize with McCoist's injury woes.  Regular front two, Leigh Griffiths and Garry O'Connor, are both suspended, whilst captain Ian Murray misses out through injury.

Predicted starting XI: McGregor; Wallace, Bocanegra, Goian, Bartley; Edu, Davis; Kerkar, Çelik, Aluko, ; Healy

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