Steven Gerrard made changes going forward against Livingston on Saturday, but Umar Sadiq still never managed to break into the Rangers squad.
The Nigerian forward hasn’t scored for Rangers this season. He also hasn’t been near the match-day squad since his disastrous Betfred Cup semi-final outing. He held the ball up well and linked play in the game at Hampden, but his ridiculous dive and lack of cutting edge is all his performance will be remembered for.
Youngsters like Serge Atakayi are ahead of him in match-day squads, as Sadiq was again left out for the game against Livingston. It hasn’t been great for Sadiq at Ibrox, but what does Saturday’s squad tell us about his future in Govan?
Sadiq is finished at Ibrox
The Roma loanee could pack his bags now. Saturday’s match-day squad proves Gerrard isn’t interested in playing the 21-year old. It’s a deal which would benefit both parties. The Nigerian gets to go back to Roma and work out his future, whilst Rangers can get him off the wage bill.
Sadiq had his chance against Aberdeen, a game which could have changed his Rangers career. It did in one way, but not for the right reasons. The Nigerian’s performance showed Gerrard why he’d left the 21-year old on the bench for the majority of the season.
He will never get ahead of Kyle Lafferty now, never mind Alfredo Morelos. He had his one big opportunity and he couldn’t have done any worse with it.
Now Sadiq can’t even get into rotated squads. Gerrard made attacking changes against Livingston to keep his side fresh for the crucial Europa League fixture against Villarreal. Lafferty started on Saturday, and the Roma loanee couldn’t even make the bench.
Sadiq only made three substitute appearance before his horrific first start. Rangers could bring in a new striker in January, and then Sadiq’s Rangers career would certainly be over.
Saturday’s squad suggests it might be finished already.
