Predicted Newcastle lineup to face Rangers: Gordon starts but no Tonali

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Newcastle United started pre-season with a win against Gateshead on Saturday, and now Eddie Howe’s side face a tougher task north of the border.

The Magpies head to Glasgow to face Rangers, where they will compete in front of a sold out Ibrox crowd for Allan McGregor’s testimonial.

Howe will have a stronger squad available to him compared to the trip across the Tyne to Gateshead. The players who only returned to training on Friday were not involved, but should feature against Rangers.

That gives Howe plenty more options, and this is our predicted Newcastle XI to face Rangers

Fabian Schar returns against Rangers

With Jamaal Lascelles missing the Gateshead game due to injury, it is unclear whether or not he will be involved against Rangers.

If not, you have to imagine that Fabian Schar will make his first start since returning to training. The alternatives are Remi Savage or Alex Murphy, but you have to imagine Howe will want someone senior given the strength of the opposition.

Sandro Tonali starts on the bench for Newcastle

Hopefully Tuesday night is the night we get to see Sandro Tonali play for the first time. However, it would be a shock to see him start.

We expect Sean Longstaff and Elliot Anderson to continue in the middle, having both started the win over Gateshead. Anderson was particularly impressive, scoring and providing an assist in the second half.

They will likely be joined by one of the returning internationals, and we have gone with Joelinton rather than Bruno Guimaraes.

Early chance for Anthony Gordon to impress

Newcastle’s attacking options were limited at the weekend, but that has now changed. It should lead to Howe naming a completely different forward line.

We have gone with Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, with the latter getting his first chance to carry on the momentum he built up in an England shirt.

That would mean Allan Saint-Maximin missing out, with rumours intensifying over a move away from Tyneside following an impressive outing at the weekend.

Predicted XI vs Rangers: Darlow; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Longstaff, Joelinton, Anderson; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.