Rangers will look to progress in the Scottish Cup when they welcome Scottish League Two side Annan Athletic to Ibrox on Friday evening.Danny Röhl’s side come into this fourth round of the Scottish ...
Rangers will look to progress in the Scottish Cup when they welcome Scottish League Two side Annan Athletic to Ibrox on Friday evening.
Danny Röhl’s side come into this fourth round of the Scottish Cup after securing five straight victories and will look to carry their momentum.
Rangers vs Annan Athletic – Match preview and team news
- Date: Friday, 16th January.
- Kick-off: 7:45pm BST.
- Venue: Ibrox Stadium.
Rangers team news
Rangers will be without several key players for this fixture due to ongoing injury concerns. Manager Röhl has confirmed that Bailey Rice, Connor Barron, Derek Cornelius, Dujon Sterling and Nedim Bajrami are all unavailable.
Most significantly, midfield lynchpin Connor Barron is expected to be sidelined for between eight and 12 weeks after suffering a knee ligament injury in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Aberdeen. Dujon Sterling, who has suffered recurring injury issues this season, is also ruled out and could return in two to three weeks.
The Gers have been active in the January transfer window under Röhl’s guidance. Midfielder Tochi Chukwuani became Röhl’s first signing, arriving from Austrian side Sturm Graz for an initial fee of around £4.3m plus possible add-ons.
The 22-year-old brings European experience to Ibrox. Additionally, left-back Tuur Rommens completed his move from Belgian Pro League side Westerlo for over £3m on January 14. Furthermore, Rangers have agreed a loan deal with Wolfsburg to bring Danish winger Andreas Skov Olsen to the club until the end of the season, with an option to buy included in the agreement.
Annan Athletic team news
Annan Athletic have no reported injury concerns heading into this fixture. The squad will be fully rested having not played since before the turn of the year.
Manager Willie Gibson’s side should be able to field a similar lineup to the one they used in their previous Scottish Cup performances.
Aidan Smith is Annan Athletic’s top scorer in Scottish League Two with five goals and could lead the line alongside Myles Gaffney and Charlie Maxwell in attack. All three players will be crucial if the Galabankies are to trouble Rangers’ defence at Ibrox.
Form
Rangers
The Gers’ momentum reached new heights with a commanding 2-0 away victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie on January 11.
Goals from Thelo Aasgaard in the 23rd minute and a James Tavernier penalty in the 74th minute secured three crucial points.
Rangers are now just six points behind league leaders Hearts, along with Celtic who have the same number of points as Rangers. The team’s resurgence has been remarkable, especially considering their struggles earlier in the campaign under previous management.
Annan Athletic
After being relegated from Scottish League One last season, Annan Athletic have had a mixed campaign in Scottish League Two, currently sitting seventh with 21 points from 18 games (5 wins, 6 draws, 7 losses).
However, the Galabankies have impressed in cup competition, booking their place in the fourth round with a brilliant 4-0 victory over Buckie Thistle in the third round on November 29, 2025. Their most recent league fixture saw them draw 2-2 at home against Stranraer on December 27, 2025, with Myles Gaffney and Aidan Smith scoring in a thrilling encounter.
Predicted lineups
Rangers: Kelly; Tavernier, Souttar, Djiga, Aarons; Raskin, Diomande; Matondo, Dowell, Moore; Chermiti.
Annan Athletic: Clarke; Muir, Hooper, Watson, Kilsby; Gibson, Dixon, Todd; Maxwell, Gaffney, Smith.
How to watch Rangers vs Annan Athletic?
The Scottish Cup fourth round fixture will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 2.
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