Ianis Hagi or Kemar Roofe, Scott Arfield or Joe Aribo: Do Rangers have a clear first choice XI?

Due to the regularity of games, persistent rotation in modern football and need to adapt to different opponents – such a question is rarely answered at Ibrox given the strength in depth across the pitch.

Furthermore, there has not yet been a game this season in which every player has been available for selection.

European suspensions, isolation issues and injury have all contributed to some underpowered benches in August. Due to the volume of matches over the next couple of months – it may well not be until after the international break that a consistent run is achieved with a full selection of players to choose from.

As Steven Gerrard summated last week: “The squad’s starting to feel healthier, bodies are coming back and main players are getting in and around it.”

When he does have everyone available, however, what is his first choice 11?

As alluded, options and competition are entirely necessary when a team is playing 60 games a season. And the ability to make game-altering substitutions contributed to some important scorelines last season. But in terms of starting 11 - is there a clear and obvious preference?

Of course, all game states are different as are all opponents. It’s also difficult to predict how much opposition weakness is taken into team selection at Rangers. It’s not something that is often spoken about by Gerrard, but in an age where analysis is at the forefront of football clubs, surely opponent frailties are woven into most game plans.

The 4-1 win over Celtic at the tail end of last season is an example.

Gerrard said on RangersTV: “I watch a lot of Celtic, they’re a good team. But with all due respect, they’ve got weaknesses, especially in that backline. I wanted to put two men right up against their centre halves and cause them problems all night.

“I wanted Ryan Kent to continue to do what he does to Scott Brown which is be a right menace and the three of them were superb.”

This is a very relevant example of when Rangers 'best XI' was selected with opposition weaknesses in view. 

There are plenty of other occasions of Gerrard looking at the wider topic of the system over personnel. Take the 2-0 Old Firm win last season. Few supporters would have chosen Brandon Barker from the start, but he fitted the game plan of the day.

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Unlike Ianis Hagi, he hadn’t been on international duty in the lead up to the fixture and so could spend more time working with the coaching staff prior to the match. 

James Tavernier and Borna Barisic were instructed to stay deep and attract pressure from opposing wing-backs, which allowed either Kent or Barker to exploit the space in behind and pull centre-backs into wide areas. It resulted in Kris Ajer fouling Kent in the lead up to the opening goal.

Arguably it wasn't the strongest Rangers team on paper but considering the weaknesses of the opposition and game state, it was most suitable for that match and therefore on that day, it was Rangers' strongest XI.

Similarly, consider the ill-fated selection decision prior to Malmo’s victory at Ibrox last week. Leon Balogun wasn’t chosen to start necessarily because he was the better player than Filip Helander – but because his attributes would allow the team to play higher up the pitch and maintain pressure.

With Balogun at fault for two second-half goals, his inclusion was criticised heavily by supporters who had watched Helander praised for a “Champions League” level performance by his manager the week before, as he kept eventual tie winner Antonio Colak quiet.

This same decision was made on numerous occasions last season - the difference was it worked for the most part. 

The job of a manager is not always to pick the best player in each position, but instead, find a combination that compliments the side's and its best player's strengths.

To use another club's example, look at the reasoning Spurs boss Nuno gave for fielding Dele Alli as a box-to-box midfielder at the weekend in his team's win over Man City.

He said: “Our job as managers is always to find the best solutions for the players, trying to create societies, tasks that the players can do to their full potential.” 

Additionally, it's important to recognise how well-versed every player is in the tactical system employed at Ibrox. Some teams are more dependent on moments from big players to decide games and create chances. But the most consistent outfits cater for that talent within a structure that has attacking rhythms, well-coached transitions and a defensive framework.

With all this said – if Gerrard had to pick a side to play a one-off game without the reality of injuries, fixture congestion and game state, what would it be?

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Defence

Allan McGregor’s place in goals is indisputable. Although he has looked a little leggy at a couple of concessions this season – and is yet to appear domestically – he saved almost six goals above average in the Scottish Premiership alone last season.

James Tavernier had a poor tie against Malmo but remains one of the most important performers in this team. He had a superb opening day game against Livingston however and Nathan Patterson's appearance on Friday should allow the captain to reset.

Connor Goldson has played 95% of the matches Steven Gerrard has managed at Rangers. He is the cornerstone of both defensive and offensive play and boasts plenty of modern defensive attributes.

Filip Helander evidently does lack a little recovery pace. Reading between the lines of the matches in which Balogun has played, it’s evident the coaching staff value the Nigerian’s contribution in certain game states, but Helander is a better player and on the basis of this piece he starts.

Helander is also left-footed and his inclusion can balance the team out and allow them to open the pitch from the defence. Balogun progresses the ball through carries and Helander passes which can also suit different opponents.

Calvin Bassey is breathing down the neck of Borna Barisic currently but once the Croatian recovers sharpness that seems absent currently – he will likely return to the form that has produced so many impressive performances these past three seasons.

Comparison of Bassey and Barisic's radars from last season should be caveated with the fact that the former played under 600 Premiership minutes last season - regardless, the raw attributes Bassey possesses are evident.

Midfield

The midfield three is perhaps the most straightforward selection. Glen Kamara and Steven Davis are both certainties in any full-strength team, and Joe Aribo has become more consistent in the last year.

There was a time at Rangers when the Nigerian didn’t appear to be favoured to play big matches in the three-man midfield - and his lack of defensive cover was exploited in the 20/21 league cup exit.

He only started two games in the Europa League run of 2019/20, the triumvirate of Jack, Kamara and Davis often favoured instead.

However, Jack’s persisting injury troubles – and Kamara and Davis’ evolution to form a double pivot – has seen Aribo make the more advanced left centre-midfield role his own. He can drop in to receive and progress the ball, make busting runs beyond and possesses top-class one-on-one ability.

Attack

And then to the front three - where deliberation becomes difficult. Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent are certainties when fit – as is Kemar Roofe.

The omission of Ianis Hagi is harsh and a case could well be argued for him, but the flexibility Roofe offers while giving a consistent goal threat is too good not to include.

The Rangers Review have written at length about the benefit of having two finishers in Rangers' front three. It allows Morelos to drop deep and create overloads while Roofe retains offensive depth or attacks and provides a goal threat as a No.10 - particularly useful in Europe.

By all measures, Roofe is a finisher. He boasted the highest average xG at the club in the Premiership last season.

Equally, Hagi is Rangers most creative player on xG assisted numbers alone. The Romanian has split opinion at times but a contribution of 20 goals and assists last season underlines his impact.

Not even involved in this discussion to this point are the likes of Scott Wright, Cedric Itten, Fashion Sakala and John Lundstram. Both Lundstram and Sakala need time to settle but should be in the conversation of a first choice XI before long. 

As the international break ends and the squad returns to full health, the team Gerrard views as his strongest will become apparent. The depth, ability to adapt and variation of player he has will continue to make his side unpredictable and dangerous going forward.