LIVE
...

Follow us on

News

The three selection headaches for Rangers boss Steven Gerrard

Add as preferred source on Google

It proved to be a busy summer transfer window for Rangers boss Steven Gerrard as he attempted to put together a squad capable of challenging Celtic for the title.

The Light Blues were defeated by their fierce rivals on Sunday handing the early initiative to the Hoops.

Gerrard will be undeterred in his efforts to finally land silverware in his first management role, however, and he will have learned a lot about his side at the weekend.

Ahead of Rangers’ next fixture, we looked at three selection conundrums for Gerrard to contemplate:

In attack

Against Celtic, Steven Gerrard opted to rotate his strikers and go with Jermain Defoe to spearhead the attack.

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Alfredo Morelos, however, must be seen as Rangers’ leading talisman, making the decision a strange one, to say the least.

It is easy to see why Gerrard is keen to utilise the experienced Defoe but he must start to appreciate that at his age he might not always be the first choice these days.

Leaving Morelos out against Celtic proved catastrophic and that Gerrard needs to rule with an iron fist.

Kent is back

After a summer-long pursuit of the Liverpool forward it came as little surprise when a deal did finally get over the line.

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

What is surprising is that Rangers are now well-stocked in the wide areas, leaving the question of where he might fit into Gerrard’s team.

There is an argument that suggests he might operate as a number 10 as opposed to the left-wing berth he so often operated in last season.

Sheyi Ojo has been playing left-wing and doing alright, so there is definitely a decision to be made there.

Helander

The uncompromising Swedish defender arrived at Ibrox in the summer for £3.5 million (BBC Sport).

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

That is hardly peanuts in the context of Scottish football and surely he will start to feature more regularly soon.

The 26-year-old has been restricted to just two appearances so far; one in the league and one in the League Cup.

Having played in Serie A he will surely earn a frequent place in Gerrard’s side at some point, but the question remains, when.