Rangers will be desperate to ease mounting pressure on manager Russell Martin when they visit the Falkirk Stadium to face newly-promoted Falkirk in this crucial Scottish Premiership clash on Sunday.
Falkirk vs Rangers – Match Preview and Team News
- Date: 5th October, Sunday.
- Kick-off: 3pm BST.
- Venue: Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk.
Falkirk Team News
John McGlynn’s side will be without several key players through injury. Aidan Nesbitt (foot), Coll Donaldson (groin), Ethan Ross (ankle), Finn Yeats (foot), Jamie Sneddon (hernia).
However, the good news is Kyrell Wilson, the Swansea City loanee, is back and included in the squad against Rangers.
McGlynn gave the following squad update: “Kyrell (Wilson) is back in the squad. Lewis Neilson couldn’t play against Hearts but he is back. That’s a couple back. Sam (Hart) took a knock on the head during the week and we are being very careful RE concussion protocol so he won’t be in the equation. But he was a big plus for us. He would have been in the equation for sure after the performance he put on last weekend off the bench at Tynecastle. He will play a big part for us going forward after the international break.”
Rangers Team News
Dujon Sterling remains sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury and won’t be available until late October 2025. Rabbi Matondo is also out with an unspecified injury issue.
The Rangers manager is expected to make changes after Thursday’s disappointing 2-1 Europa League defeat to Sturm Graz in Austria. Jack Butland will retain his place in goal despite conceding twice in Austria, with the keeper making seven saves but being blamed for one of the goals.
James Tavernier continues as captain and right-back, having scored three goals in six league games this season, though his 27 possessions lost against Sturm Graz highlighted his inconsistent performances. John Souttar and Derek Cornelius are expected to partner in central defence, with Jayden Meghoma likely to start at left-back.
In midfield, Connor Barron and Nicolas Raskin could anchor the centre of the park, while Joe Rothwell may feature in a more advanced role. Bojan Miovski is expected to replace the out-of-form Youssef Chermiti up front after the latter’s lacklustre display in Austria.
Form
Falkirk
The Bairns have struggled since their return to the Premiership, managing just one victory from six league games – a 1-0 triumph over bottom-placed Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Their most recent outing ended in a heavy 3-0 defeat away to Hearts, where goals from Alexandros Kyziridis, Lawrence Shankland and Craig Halkett condemned them to another disappointing result.
However, McGlynn’s side showed fighting spirit in a 2-2 home draw with Hibernian and will take encouragement from fellow newly-promoted side Livingston’s approach against Rangers last weekend.
Rangers
Martin’s men have endured a dismal start to the campaign, winning just one of their last six Scottish Premiership matches. Their sole league victory came via a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Livingston on September 28th, courtesy of Max Aarons.
The Gers suffered back-to-back Europa League defeats, losing 1-0 to Genk at Ibrox before Thursday’s 2-1 reverse in Austria against Sturm Graz. Poor defending and slow starts have plagued Rangers throughout the season, with Martin consistently blaming mentality rather than tactical issues.
Predicted Lineups
Falkirk: Bain; Adams, Lissah, Henderson, McCann; Spencer, Cartwright; Miller, Tait, Williams; MacIver
Rangers: Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Cornelius, Meghoma; Raskin, Barron; Antman, Aasgaard, Gassama; Miovski
How to Watch Falkirk vs Rangers?
UK fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
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