Daniel Candeias has played a whopping 47 times for Rangers this season.
That up puts him up there alongside James Tavernier and Connor Goldson as one of Steven Gerrard’s most used players.
However, that may not be the case next season.
The 31-year-old should still be at the club, as he’s contracted until the summer of 2020.
Yet, a
recent tactical switch has shown the manager that his side can be more effective in the final third when Scott Arfield is given an advanced role.
It was Candeias who gave way to allow the Canadian international to move forward against Hearts.
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The Portuguese then returned to face Motherwell on Sunday, but you suspect that wouldn’t have happened had Ryan Kent been available.
Rangers are still hopeful of keeping Kent at the club next season [
The Scottish Sun]. That, coupled with the imminent arrival of Jordan Jones, could mean that Candeias sees himself relegated to the role of a squad player.
Undoubtedly, he was one of the few positive acquisitions of the Caixinha era. His work ethic is excellent and every now and then he puts in an outstanding display or produces a moment of magic.
However, in the pursuit of silverware, the Gers perhaps need someone who can be more consistently effective next season.
After all, he only has five goals and five assists in 28 SPL appearances [Transfermarkt].
Gerrard shouldn’t discard the wide man, but it’s surely unlikely he’ll be quite such a regular, next campaign.
