Breaking News:Philippe Clement urged to consider dropping £4.5m ace alongside Rangers team-mate
Philippe Clement has a couple of big decisions to make as Rangers prepare to resume their Scottish Premiership duties on Sunday.
The odd ‘massive call’, to quote former Ibrox stalwart Derek Ferguson.
For instance, does he persist with James Tavernier, in the hope that the captain can rediscover his mojo again?
Tavernier, not for the first time, struggled badly against the pace and the irrepressible intensity of Dazen Maeda as Rangers suffered their first domestic defeat of the season away to Old Firm rivals Celtic before the September international break.
Dujon Sterling is in line to take Tavernier’s place, should Clement opt to shuffle his pack. The versatile Neraysho Kasanwirjo will also be in contention to make his debut.
The Gers boss has already confirmed that the long-serving right-back – having played a minimum of 55 games in each of the last three campaigns – is likely to spend a little more time out of the XI over the coming months in order to avoid a burnout.
And dropping Tavernier away at Dundee United is a decision Ferguson would back.
READ MORE: Who is James Tavernier? All you need to know about the incredible Rangers captain
Rangers boss Philippe Clement faces big James Tavernier call
“Listen, we can talk about his passing – he’s been brilliant with his stats and all that – but at the moment he isn’t playing well,” the two-time Scottish Premiership champion tells the Open Goal podcast, via their official YouTube channel.
“It’s a massive call. But sometimes you’ve got to make these calls. I think this is probably a good game to take him out and give him a wee breather.”
Tavernier is not the only one who may be glancing nervously over his shoulder with that painful Parkhead collapse still fresh in the memory.
Ferguson feels that Mohamed Diomande – ineffective against Celtic – could also be facing a battle for his place with Nicolas Raskin returning to fitness.
Big things were expected of Diomande after he completed a £4.5 million move from Nordsjaelland – Ferguson’s namesake Barry tipped him to hit an all-new level this term – but the Ivorian has been overshadowed so far by summer signing Connor Barron.
There’s a few (who could be dropped), even talking about Diomande. He’s a talented boy but he’s got to show a bit more,” Derek Ferguson adds. “You could point the finger at quite a lot of them apart from the wee fella Barron in the middle of the park.
“He’s been the shining light.”
Connor Barron certain to start at Dundee United
Clement has barely missed a chance to praise Barron during an excellent first few weeks in Rangers blue.
Stepping into the shoes of another Aberdeen export in Ryan Jack – who himself has lauded the youngster’s early performances – Barron is comfortably the most impressive of Rangers’ ten summer signings so far.
Tavernier, meanwhile, continues to be linked with a move to Turkey with the Super Lig window not closing until Friday.
Be the first to comment