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Daily Record

Sport

Mark Pirie

Latest Rangers team news as Colak and Morelos decision opens the door to wildcard Kemar Roofe option for Celtic

Kemar Roofe Rangers Celtic Michael Beale Alfredo Morelos Antonio Colak Adam DeVine Ben Davies Borna Barisic Connor Goldson

A massive test awaits Michael Beale as he looks to revive Rangers title hopes with a win over Celtic in front of a bumper Ibrox crowd.

Beale will hope to put his experience of the derby clash having soaked up the atmosphere when working as Steven Gerrard's trusted lieutenant, but it will be a different prospect for the former Queens Park Rangers boss when he is the main man in the dugout when the Scottish Premiership leaders arrive in Govan. Ange Postecoglou's men have a comfortable nine point advantage at the top of the table and Beale will be desperate to cut the gap on their rivals and pile the pressure on.

Since taking over from Gio van Bronckhorst, the Londoner has had his fair share of selection dilemmas to deal with after inheriting a lengthy injury list when stepping into the hot seat. However, those problems are beginning to ease just in time for the crucial clash with the Hoops.

Kemar Roofe during a Rangers training session at the Rangers Training Centre (SNS Group)

There are some big personnel calls facing the Rangers boss, but who will make the starting XI? Record Sport takes a look.

Defence

Rangers problems at the back are slowly beginning to ease, with both Connor Goldson and Ben Davies starting at the heart of the back against Motherwell. Leon King is also available having been hampered by injuries during the early days of the Beale era. Borna Barisic returned from his World Cup exploits against the Steelmen, and will likely keep Adam Devine on the bench once again on derby day. The clash comes too early for long-term absentees John Souttar and Filip Helander.

Midfield

Experienced Steven Davies will be a big miss in the Ibrox cauldron having been ruled out until the end of the campaign, while Beale has previously stated Glen Kamara has pushed through the pain barrier to play in the big games having required surgery months ago. It will be a choice between the Finland international, John Lundstram and Ryan Jack in the midfield engine room. Ianis Hagi is working his way back to fitness behind the scenes but his former Romania boss Florin Bratu expects it to be up to six months before he is back to his "peak".

Attack

Antonio Colak is set to return to the squad to challenge Alfredo Morelos for a starting spot against Celtic. The Croat has been hampered by injury issues since Beale's arrival, leading to the Colombian stepping in as first-choice striker. While Morelos has been struggling with his own fitness woes Beale looks set to have both available for the first time in his tenure. Kemar Roofe could also return the squad as he builds his fitness behind the scenes at Auchenhowie, however he only looks set to get the nod if Colak or Morelos fail to make the bench. Ahead of the game Beale said: “Antonio will be available as well. Kemar is touch and go because he's done slightly less. He will definitely be available if Alfredo isn't because it's one of those situations."