Philippe Clement couldn’t have asked for a tougher test at Old Trafford having to make enforced changes at half-time and have almost a full Rangers team missing.
The manager came so close to pulling off a miracle when Cyriel Dessers scored a stunning equaliser only for the pressure to be too much for the defence and Jefte to take.
One player who was given a chance and who impressed after working himself into the game was Bailey Rice, with the Rangers academy product drawing praise from Rio Ferdinand on commentary.
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Bailey Rice earns praise for Rangers display vs Man Utd
Rice is the jewel in the Auchenhowie crown with high hopes of him making the grade.
The same could also have been said of Alex Lowry though, who has now joined Wycombe Wanderers.
After playing fellow Cyriel Dessers in behind Man Utd’s defence with a cute through ball, Ferdinand couldn’t help but praise Rice:
“I tell you what, I’m liking Rice by the way, he’s come on and looked composed, the kid’s got something about him, he’s got a lovely left foot on him,” said the former Man Utd defender.
Ally McCoist joined in with the praise too, commending the influence that Rice was having on proceedings despite lining up against a host of seasoned international players.
Will Clement give Rice a chance now?
If Rice can do it at Old Trafford, against this level of opposition, Clement must now realise that he can be trusted to do it against SPFL level opposition too.
With Kieran Dowell ostracised, Rice and Mohamed Diomande are the only midfield options if Connor Barron is injured for any length of time.
The Scottish Premiership title is all but over, Clement doesn’t have any excuses not to play someone who clearly has the technical ability to play in Rangers midfield.
Given his performance at Old Trafford, he has the mentality too.
