On Wednesday, Borna Barisic ruled himself out of the upcoming Old Firm derby.
The left-back has picked up yet another injury. It’s his troublesome left hamstring again, but this time it was sustained on international duty.
His unavailability means Andy Halliday is near certain to start at Parkhead.
That may be no great loss. Especially, as he was Man of the Match when the two sides met back in December.
The scenario opens up an opportunity for someone else, though.
Who will come into the squad?
Gerrard is unlikely to go into the game without full-back cover and therefore, one of two men will get the nod.
Matt Polster or Jon Flanagan.
Polster spoke earlier this month about his ambitions to take part in the fixture.
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He’s a full international and a versatile operator. However, it would be a big ask for him to make his debut within the cauldron of derby day.
Therefore, Jon Flanagan is the more likely inclusion in the squad.
He
signed for the club on a two-year deal in the summer and looked a shrewd addition.
Yet, it really hasn’t worked out thus far.
The 26-year-old looked a long way from the player who burst onto the scene as a teenager at Liverpool and seems pretty much bereft of all confidence.
Consequently, he’s made just one appearance in 2019.
He does have big game experience on his side though and was used in the closing stages of December’s Old Firm win.
Gerrard will hope to keep Tavernier and Halliday on for the full 90 minutes, but Flanagan is most likely to make the bench as a contingency.
