RANGERS are back in action on Saturday lunchtime when they make the short trip to Fir Park to take on Motherwell.

Victory for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men would see them close the gap on leaders Celtic to three points, albeit temporarily.

Our writers select their starting XIs for the match.

Jonny McFarlane

After a week of huge matches against top-quality opposition, it's back down to earth with the kind of match that has occasionally given this squad reason to shudder.

Motherwell are a disciplined, organised side with a physical edge who can pose real questions with their pace and power, particularly at set-pieces.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has a huge call to make with his goalkeeper. I suspect he will go with Allan McGregor but Jon McLaughlin's ability to collect crosses would take a lot of pressure off the back line. He's my choice between the sticks for the rest of the season.

In midfield, I'd rest Ryan Jack and go with a more adventurous duo of Davis and Lundstram. The Northern Irishman is a calming presence whose passing can help unlock the Steelmen's defence.

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In attacking areas the presence of Kemar Roofe will be sorely missed and I expect Fashion Sakala, who's enjoyed significant success at this ground in the past to take up the mantle for this match at least.

Predicted line-up: McLaughlin, Tavernier, Barisic, Bassey, Goldson, Davis, Lundstram, Aribo, Kent, Arfield, Sakala.

Derek Clark

With a European semi-final looming, it’s important not to lose sight of this crucial match in terms of the league. Rangers’ chances of retaining the title are slight to say the least but three points just adds a bit of pressure on the Premiership leaders.

After impressing against Celtic on Sunday, Jon McLaughlin may get the nod over Allan McGregor although the 40-year-old should return with the back four likely to remain the same that started at Hampden.

Steven Davis should return to the midfield with John Lundstram rested ahead of Thursday’s trip to Leipzig. Glen Kamara would be a decent partner with an attacking trio of Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo and Scott Wright to offer a bit of pace down the right-hand flank.

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Given the injury sustained by Kemar Roofe, the responsibility falls on Fashion Sakala’s shoulders and the Zambian has fond memories of Fir Park having netted a hat-trick there in a 6-1 thrashing earlier in the season.

Predicted line-up: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic, Davis, Kamara, Aribo, Kent, Wright, Sakala.