It's just to freshen things up and give people an opportunity.

Michael Beale wasn't going to throw anyone under the bus after an inevitably difficult week but he admitted himself the Viaplay Cup final defeat had taught him something and perhaps his team selection told a story.

The flat, lifeless showing of John Lundstram at Hampden was perhaps understandable after nearly a month out of action due to injury. Glen Kamara allowing the game to pass him by was less so. Regardless of where blame is apportioned, it wasn't close to good enough and something was always going to give. The arrival of Todd Cantwell, Nico Raskin and Ryan Jack into the Hampden action gave Rangers an adrenaline shot to the heart that nearly propelled them to an equaliser so it was no surprise to see them in from the start at Ibrox. 

All three continued as they had left off. The first-half performance against Killie was the closest we have seen in a home game to what you'd imagine to be the Beale vision. It was fluid, energetic, brimming with attacking variance. Derek McInnes didn't have an answer, if anything, the Ayrshire side was fortunate to slump into the break only three down.

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Belgian midfielder Raskin has a confidence that belies his tender years. His peacock-like strut is reminiscent of a young Barry Ferguson and he has no problem demanding the ball from his more established and experienced teammates which is a very encouraging sign about his mentality. He's always looking forward, forward, forward. It's far too early of course to say with surety he's going to be a hit, but we can certainly call the early signs highly encouraging. It's clear to anyone with eyes he's a natural footballer and you'd expect to see further improvement as he adapts to his teammates, his manager's tactical expectations and Scottish football.

Another in that category is Cantwell, easily the best player on the park today. The former Norwich midfielder has many qualities, not least lovely soft feet which allow him to take the ball in tight situations and a nimble alacrity to slalom in and out of situations. For a player of such technical gifts, he's also shown he's happy to press high and while he's no Malik Tillman in winning the ball, there's no doubting his attitude and effort. The longer Cantwell plays, the more he will be able to utilise his quality to unlock tight situations in opponents' final third. It's looking promising for him too.

The third spoke in the midfield wheel has less stardust but Jack should still arguably the first name on the team sheet. While injury has cruelly robbed him of having an influence over many games, his experience, use of the ball and understanding of Scottish football idiosyncrasies make him so important. There may be a reluctance by many in the support to embrace a new deal due to his injury issues, Rangers should be wary of throwing the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to their midfielder. There's no pressure to offer him a deal and taking his future on a month-by-month basis seems the logical play. He still has plenty to offer on today's evidence.

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While not a midfielder, another who offered something was Antonio Colak. The Croat should have been on the scoresheet after missing a simple-looking header in the middle of the second half but he had a major part in the opening two goals and looked sharp as a tack for an hour. It was the kind of performance that looked borne of frustration after being second fiddle for a while. He will have to maintain standards if he's to keep Alfredo Morelos out of the side, but if the Colombian is to leave at the end of the season as many suspect it's important that Colak gets minutes to show his manager what he can do when he's conditioned right. 

In terms of the overall performance, Rangers slackened in a much less impressive second half. They were never in trouble despite the standards drop and winning games in the first half is a fabulous habit to get into when you are fighting on multiple fronts. If it's one Rangers can develop over time, it will serve them well in battles to come.

So a chance for freshness and opportunity? You'd have to say the players picked took it. Selections going forward may be interesting indeed.