Chris Sutton lauds Cedric Itten during Rangers’ Europa League win

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Chris Sutton told BT Sport (broadcast on 10/12; 18:48) at half-time of Rangers’ Europa League clash on Thursday that Cedric Itten impressed him and gave Steven Gerrard food for thought.

The Gers secured top spot in the group with a win over Lech Poznan. Rangers had already booked their ticket to the knockout stages. But it still looked to be a fantastic opportunity for the 23-year-old.

He has started just twice in the Scottish Premiership since his arrival at Ibrox. And Thursday marked the first time that he has received a chance from the off in Europe for the Gers.

But it is fair to say that he made the most of the opportunity. It was Itten who gave the visitors the lead with a thunderous strike just after the half-hour mark.

The summer signing beat the defender with a lovely touch. He then smashed the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the box at a fairly tight angle.

He did not manage to add to his goals tally. But he did nearly contribute a superb assist. His flick just inside the opponents’ half set Ianis Hagi on his way through on goal. Unfortunately, the Romanian’s effort was deflected round the post.

And following the half-time whistle, Sutton suggested that he liked what he had seen from the forward.

“It’s food for thought for Steven Gerrard,” he told BT Sport (10/12; 18:48). “He hasn’t had a lot of opportunities. But he’s been impressive. And later on, [there was] a lovely touch where he sets Hagi away. It’s a wonderful touch.

“It’s top-notch centre-forward play, just a wonderful connection, good awareness that Hagi’s on the move.”

It is fantastic for Rangers to have so many players giving Gerrard a number of dilemmas. Itten is battling the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Jermain Defoe for chances.

But if he continues to score when opportunities do come his way, Gerrard is going to find it extremely difficult to justify not playing him more.