Predicted Rangers XI for Motherwell with Djeidi Gassama on the cusp as Russell Martin nails striker colours to the mast
Russell Martin passed his first major test as Rangers boss.
But now the longer-term assessment comes, although he still has exams he must pass on a weekly basis.
Gers kick off their Premiership campaign away to Motherwell this evening. His two predecessors both dropped points in the last two season openers and ultimately failed their assignments.
Martin has reassured fans that there's plenty of time to recover if they are to leave Fir Park without maximum points, but it's the actual recovery that's been the problem rather than running out of time.
Now he has to figure out which of his star pupils will best serve him by starting.
The clamour to unleash Djeidi Gassama from the beginning is only growing louder after more midweek exploits. He came off the bench to take the wind out of Panathinaikos' sails in Athens, having delivered the hammer blow at Ibrox the week before.
Martin accepts that the former Sheffield Wednesday man is more ready to start now, but still urged patience.
'Listen, it's a tough call to leave anyone out of the team, especially when someone had such an impact on the bench, but we went for consistency, players that played together more," said Martin in midweek.
'Gas is still catching up for sure, and he had such a big moment and impact last week, it took the stuffing out of him, it made him tired, which it would I think, naturally, because it was so much adrenaline, he had such a brilliant start.
'Then got some more minutes Saturday where he wasn't as impactful as he wanted to be, and then tonight he scored a brilliant goal, brilliant finish.
'So he knows what we think of him, he also knows he has to be patient, and he's more ready to start now than he has been before tonight, so I'm pleased with him.'
Elsewhere on the pitch, Martin confirmed that Max Aarons isn't the long term solution at left back but has challenged Jefte to take the shirt off him.
Danilo was defended despite a lack of goals in Greece as Cyriel Dessers appears to be firmly the second choice: 'Danilo people won't talk about because he hasn't scored, but he was fantastic, especially out of possession," said Martin.
FIFA red tape might mean Mikey Moore misses out while Hamza Igamane and Thelo Aasgaard aren't fit enough to be involved.
Here's how Record Sport reckons Rangers might start the season.
Predicted Rangers XI
Provisional Rangers squad
Goalkeepers
Jack Butland
Liam Kelly
Kieran Wright
Defenders
James Tavernier
Jefte
Emmanuel Fernandez
Alexander Hutton
Leon King
Robbie Fraser
Midfielders
Connor Barron
Bailey Rice
Lyall Cameron
Joe Rothwell
Mohamed Diomande
Kieran Dowell
Mikey Moore
Oscar Cortes
Nedim Bajrami
Findlay Curtis
Forwards
Danilo
Cyriel Dessrers
Djeidi Gassama
Josh Gentles
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