Pedro Caixinha announces Rangers team a day early

Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha has announced his first eleven more than 24 hours in advance of his side's trip to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock.

Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha has decided to name his team to face Kilmarnock early. Picture: John Devlin

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The manager has made five changes to the first eleven that drew 1-1 with Motherwell, with Lee Hodson missing out due to illness and Lee Wallace due to undergo stomach surgery.

There are starts for youngsters David Bates and Miles Beerman and returns to the eleven for James Tavernier, Andy Halliday and Martyn Waghorn.

The changes represent a continued willingness for Caixinha to make changes, following three substitutions at half-time on Saturday.

Caixinha told the press conference that Rob Kiernan might have been fit to play but felt it best to rest the defender for Sunday’s clash against Aberdeen.

He said: “It is very important to have players with character. This is a massive club, a huge club and not every player is a Rangers player.

“I expect Clint and Rob to be ready for Sunday’s match. I could have used Rob but he wasn’t 100 per cent and I want 100 per cent players playing.”