Rangers vs St Mirren: Prediction, team news and predicted lineups

Rangers welcome reigning Scottish League Cup champions St Mirren to Ibrox on Sunday as both sides battle for a place in the third round.

Derek McInnes’ Rangers are still searching for their first competitive victory of the 2026/27 campaign, while St Mirren head into the clash full of confidence after winning their last two matches.

Rangers desperate for first win

Despite making several additions during the summer, including Lawrence Shankland, Dan Neil and Cameron Devlin, Rangers have endured a difficult opening to the campaign.

The Gers have failed to win any of their first four competitive fixtures, drawing one and losing one of their opening Scottish Premiership matches before their Europa League exit against Jagiellonia Bialystok.

Rangers were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by the Polish side, leaving McInnes under pressure to get his team back on track.

Sunday’s League Cup tie therefore represents another opportunity for Rangers to finally get their season moving.

Shankland will be one of the players expected to lead the response after opening his competitive Rangers account in midweek.

St Mirren arrive in strong form

St Mirren could hardly have made a better start to their campaign.

The Saints have won five of their opening six matches, suffering just one defeat while scoring 15 goals and conceding only four.

Craig McLeish’s side have yet to face a Premiership opponent, however, making the trip to Ibrox their biggest challenge so far.

They can take confidence from last season’s League Cup triumph and will be hoping to produce another memorable run in the competition.

St Mirren have also won their last two games, although their recent record against Rangers is less encouraging, having lost their previous two meetings.

Rangers team news

Rangers will be without Youssef Chermiti, José Cifuentes and Ben Godfrey, who continue to deal with injuries.

Thelo Aasgaard is also a doubt after being withdrawn at half-time during the midweek fixture.

Shankland is expected to retain his place in attack after scoring his first competitive goal for the club.

Rangers possible XI

Pandur; Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Rommens; Yokota, Neil, Devlin, Curtis; Shankland, Naderi

St Mirren team news

The visitors have their own injury concerns, with Jonah Ayunga, Keanu Baccus and Ryan Mullen unavailable.

Marcus Fraser is also doubtful, with Liam Donnelly expected to step into the defence if Fraser fails to recover in time.

Given their excellent recent form, McLeish could keep faith with much of the side that has delivered successive victories.

St Mirren possible XI

Chapman; Richardson, Donnelly, Gogic, John; Carr, Nsio; Ramos, Phillips, Mochrie; Sule

Rangers vs St Mirren prediction

Rangers will have home advantage and considerably more pressure on their shoulders, but their poor start means this could be a tricky encounter.

St Mirren’s excellent early-season form makes them capable of causing problems, although Rangers have enough quality to edge a closely fought contest.

Prediction: Rangers 2-1 St Mirren