Match Day Preview - The Plus Tens vs St Johnstone

Last updated : 02 February 2010 By OnlyOneAmoruso
Since Walter Smith's return to the club we have reached the final of every domestic tournament we have entered. So we're no strangers to sucess at the semi-final stage.

With Miller looking like he'll be rested again and Bougherra given the week off to recover from his African exertions I don't see very much difference to Saturday's 11 who dispatched of Falkirk comfortably (in the end).

Likely selection

McGregor

Broadfoot Weir Wilson Papac

Davis Thomson McCulloch Novo

Lafferty Fleck

I can see Broadfoot coming back in to provide a bit more backbone in the wide defensive areas but other than that it'll pretty much be as you were.

Head to Head

St Johnstone 1 - 2 Rangers (Boyd, Papac)
Rangers 3 - 0 St Johnstone (Boyd (2), Novo)

A straightforward home victory was preceded by a nervy 2-1 win. The unlikely hero being Sasa Papac who popped up late in the game to secure the points.

Form

Rangers

Hamilton 0 - 1 Rangers
Rangers 2 - 0 Hamilton
Rangers 1 - 1 - Hearts
St Mirren 0 - 2 Rangers
Rangers 3 - 0 Falkirk

The Celtic draw has slipped off our last 5 games now meaning we have taken 10 points from our last 12 available.

St Johnstone

Motherwell 1 - 3 St Johnstone
Forfar 0 - 3 St Johnstone
St Johnstone 1 - 4 Celtic
Dundee Utd 3 - 3 St Johnstone
St Johnstone 1 - 0 Hearts

Despite only winning 1 league game out of their last 4 they are motoring along nicely in mid-table. Not looking like they'll make the Top 6 or get sucked into a relegation battle. They were extremely resilient against Celtc for the best part the game before the roof caved in on them.

Ones to Watch

Steven Davis

After being proved right with this one at the weekend, I'll stick with Davis again! Scored one, a super free kick from 20 yards, and set up the other two for Fleck & Whittaker. More of the same over the next couple of weeks and it may help soften the blow of no new faces in the transfer window.

Grame Smith

I named Carl Finnigan as my one to watch for the Falkirk game.After he embarrassed me by only appearing for the last 12 minutes I'll play it safe and go for St Johnstone's goalkeeper this time around. Graeme Smith should have a point to prove against his old club. He didn't make much of an impact at Rangers, only playing 2 games in the cups so you would expect he will be right up for this game.

As always with a semi-final it's just about getting through. With a spot in the final against Hearts or St Mirren awaiting the victor, any win will do.

OnlyOneAmoruso.