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Prematch Analysis: St. Johnstone vs. Rangers Friday, 13 January 2012 20:06 Written by djw1992

Saturday 14th December, 12.30PM, McDiarmid Park.

They say that a new year brings a fresh start.  The slate is wiped clean, and everybody can start again.  After a poor end to 2011, Rangers have certainly grabbed onto this maxim with both hands.  Seven goals alongside two fine team performances have seen off the challenges of Motherwell and Arbroath.  However, anything other than a victory in Perth this weekend will see the admirable start to 2012 go the way of Christmas trees on the 6th of January.

And there's no way that this fixture will be a walk in the park.

After Celtic Park, statistically speaking, McDiarmid Park is the second most likely place where Rangers will lose in the league.  Furthermore, the champions have won just one of their past four SPL away games, despite having lost just three of the previous thirty.  Add to that St. Johnstone's fine form this season (a win tomorrow would see them go temporarily third in the league), and it's clear that the stage is set for a bit of a tricky day for McCoist's men.

This is compunded by the news that inspirational keeper, Allan McGregor, will not play any part tomorrow, having been struck down with a thigh injury.  Thankfully, however, it doesn't look like he will be out for any great length of time.  Other absentees include Whittaker, Ness, Naismith, Broadfoot and Lafferty, however Steven Davis will return from suspension.

To add more spice to the mix, it looks like St. Johnstone's top scorer, Francisco Sandaza, is on the verge of a switch to Ibrox, so you can have no doubts that he'll want to give his potential new employers a performance to remember.

Predicted starting XI: Alexander; Bartley, Goian, Bocanegra, Papac; Aluko, Edu, Davis, Wallace; Fleck; Jelavic.

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