Jefte worries emerge from Rangers as Scott McDermott shares what he’s heard

 

Rangers may have a concern in the left-back area due to doubts over Jefte’s defensive ability, according to Scott McDermott.

 

McDermott, speaking on the Daily Record Sport Hotline [16 August] with Daniel Caw and Keith Jackson, explained that Philippe Clement’s decision to use Jefte in a more advanced role ahead of Ridvan Yilmaz indicates how the Belgian sees his new signing fitting into the side.

 

Jefte was controversially dismissed for a second booking as the Gers crashed out of the running for the Champions League in midweek, with Yilmaz stretchered off with a thigh injury to compound a dismal evening at Hampden Park.

 

McDermott said: “[Rangers] signed Jefte as a left-back, and you’d have thought he’d get a few weeks there at least, but the reports I was getting from pre-season games were that he looked vulnerable at left-back.

 

“It could be that he looks a bit susceptible defensively, and far more dangerous when he’s been further up the pitch, where Clement has used him early this season.

“He’s put him up ahead of Yilmaz – and that’s the worry for me, if he thinks Yilmaz will be out for a lengthy period of time.”

 

Rangers expected to chase left-back cover

With Borna Barisic long gone, Yilmaz seemingly out for the foreseeable future and Jefte considered to be defensively suspect, Rangers must act quickly to recruit in the left-back area.

Youngster Robbie Fraser is another option, although he has only played two senior games in a blue shirt.

The 23-year-old was once considered the “golden boy” at Old Trafford as a teenager under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, making 36 appearances in the Covid-hit 2019-20 season, and ending his spell at the club with two loan spells away.

 

In the midst of working with a transitional squad, Clement must bring in a left-back with experience of top-level football who can hit the ground running – and with a disciplined environment, Williams can do just that – leaving Jefte to play and develop to his own strengths further upfield.

 

In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson gives his “madness” take on whether Clement should keep his position.