The return of Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack could see Steven Davis left on the bench once again for tonight’s Premiership clash against Kilmarnock.
The Gers travel to Rugby Park for a 7.45 pm kick-off and cannot afford another slip up after an underwhelming start to 2020.
Steven Gerrard declared Ryan Jack available for selection on Tuesday morning [RangersTV] and the lack of conditions around the manager’s statement, suggests he could come straight back into the starting XI for this one.
(Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Plenty of fans have rejoiced at the prospect of Jack’s return, but it could prove to be bad news for Steven Davis.
The Northern Ireland skipper was a key part of the Gers team over the first half of the season, racking up 27 appearances and for the most part, strutting his stuff.
However, since the turn of the year, he’s struggled somewhat.
The 35-year-old has looked a yard slower than he was during the pre-winter break period and unusually wasteful in possession.
He was given something of a rest at the weekend, with Scott Arfield, Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo making up the midfield trio against Hamilton.
It was likely expected that he’d come back in for this evening’s fixture, but the return of Jack coupled with the performances of others could see him remain on the bench in Ayrshire.
Arfield was one of the best players on the park on Saturday, and it would take a brave manager to drop a player directly after he netted a brace.
Kamara also made an important contribution. Bailing out Borna Barisic, he pulled off an outstanding last-ditch challenge on an Accies attacker when the game was still in the balance.
Aribo played a big part, too, scoring the all-important second goal. There is the option to move him further up the pitch, but that would mean either Ryan Kent or impressive newcomer, Ianis Hagi, missing out.
For Jack to come in, it looks as though one of the trio who started at Accies will be hard done by and miss out. Yet, it seems unlikely that Gerrard will drop two to make room for Davis.
Therefore, it could be a second consecutive missed XI for the veteran who regularly made the Gers tick over the first half of the season.
If that does prove to be the case, it’ll be a message from the manager that no player is above being dropped.
