Craig Moore insists Rangers have struggled to find defensive consistency due to Steven Gerrard’s tinkering with the rearguard in the early part of the season.
And the former Light Blues stopper admitted whoever is picked for the backline on Sunday would prefer to face Odsonne Edouard than Kyogo Furuhashi.
That is why Moore believes Ange Postecoglou - a man he knows well from his time working with the Australian national team - could dump the Frenchman on the bench at Ibrox.
Rangers have conceded seven goals in all competitions this season - a number it took them 19 games to reach last term.
Gerrard’s historic title success was built on an impressive miserly defence but they have looked more vulnerable at the back.
With a huge Champions League qualifier early in the campaign, Gerrard has shuffled his defence with goalkeeper Allan McGregor rested and now Calvin Bassey replacing Borna Barisic.
Leon Balogun and Filip Helander were also given a leg each against Malmo and Moore says that can bring its own problems.
And Gerrard could be forced to rip up his rearguard again depending on who is affected by the club's Covid outbreak.
The Aussie said: “There’s reasons why Steven Gerrard has continued to shuffle his pack but with the changes he’s made it become hard to build consistency.
“Consistency from a goalkeeper that makes those big saves, a steady backline - the rest takes care of itself.
“You’ve got someone who can hold the middle of the park and people who can go and win games.
“Too many times we complicate the game of football. It’s five players who look to control and protect and four or five who go and try and win games of football.
“I’m looking at (Filip) Helander and (Connor) Goldson being the best partnership. Leon Balogun has come in and out.
“Calvin Bassey has made a real claim and has deserved his opportunity to be number one left full back at this moment in time, based on performance and not reputation.
“Bassey has continued to try and improve himself and Barisic has dropped off a little bit for whatever reason.
“He’s just as important going forward because he can work the full left flank and can also defend, whereas that’s probably not Barisic’s favourite part of his game.”
And as he predicted how the Hoops might line up for the huge first derby of the season, he told the GO Radio football show : “Edouard could be left out and Kyogo will play through the middle.
“That’s where Kyogo is at his his most dangerous against two central defenders who won’t like that type.
“As a central defender if you’re asking me… Edouard is a great talent but the likes of Goldson and Helander would relish that match up. Kyogo offers something different.”
