Steven Gerrard should hand a first-ever Rangers start to winter signing Jack Simpson in the upcoming Scottish Cup tie against Cove Rangers.
Simpson initially signed a pre-contract deal with the Gers in January before his switch to Ibrox from Bournemouth was pushed through on 1st February.
He is a highly-regarded young player, who former Cherries boss Eddie Howe believes ‘has everything’ that’s required to become a top defender [Bournemouth Echo].
The 24-year-old has some Premier League experience and was playing semi-regularly in the EFL Championship prior to his move to Glasgow.
However, he’s been mainly a spectator for the past month and a half at Rangers, making just two substitute appearances, with one coming in the Premiership and the other in the Europa League.
The upcoming Scottish Cup tie would be the perfect time for him to be handed a first start for his new club, though.
Simpson has had time to settle in and while the knockout nature of the tie makes it a pressure game, the League One opposition ensures it’s hardly like he’s being thrown in at the deep end.
Connor Goldson is on a quest to play every minute of the Gers’ season, so Simpson will have an experienced partner to play alongside, while his inclusion would ensure that both Leon Balogun and Filip Helander, who are currently away on international duty with Nigeria and Sweden respectively, can be rested.
Rangers fans have waited some time to see the 6ft 3″ ball-playing centre-back be given a proper opportunity, and that wait should come to an end when the Gers next take to the pitch at Ibrox.
Meanwhile, a Rangers first-team star was rated as the worst performer in his international team on Sunday as his World Cup hopes were dealt a blow.
