PREVIEW: RANGERS - KILMARNOCK Arch Bell - Thursday, November 19, 2009
After seeing his first league action of the year two weeks ago, DaMarcus Beasley will hope to get another opportunity off the bench for Rangers who host Kilmarnock on Saturday at Ibrox Stadium.
Head coach Walter Smith is expected to start Beasley on the bench but may turn to the Indiana native for a second half spark against Killie.
Prior to the St. Mirren match two weeks ago, the only playing time Beasley had seen on the campaign was a start in a Scottish League Cup match versus Dundee.
Last year Beasley featured in a number of matches for Smith until a rib injury early in the spring forced the former PSV Eindhoven man to the sidelines. Although recuperated in the final weeks of the season, Beasley struggled to make any of the gameday rosters as Rangers finished the last eight weeks unbeaten to claim the league title.
Unsurprisingly, the Light Blues find themselves in a tangle with crosstown rivals Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League standings. The Hoops are first with 23 points while the defending champions are in second place with 22 points.
The hosts have already locked horns with Kilmarnock this year when the two teams played to a goalless draw back in August.
Killie currently sit in 10th place in the league standings with nine points. Head coach Jim Jefferies looks like he will have to do without striker Allan Russell due to an injury.
Even though Kevin Thomson and Kyle Lafferty will be back in the fold for the Light Blues, American Maurice Edu is still recovering from knee surgery and will not be available on Saturday nor will long-term injuree Kirk Broadfoot.
It is also expected that Smith will not be able to count on Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra who is returning from the Sudan after Wednesday's epic World Cup qualifying win over Egypt. The Rangers head man will likely slot in 17 year old Danny Wilson for Bougherra.
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