Philippe Clement has been looking to build consistency in his Rangers team with key players still unavailable through injury.
Playing every few days is hard on the legs though and the manager rotated his squad slightly by making two changes against St Johnstone.
Before an unusual Sunday 8pm kick-off, Clement talked through his team selection for Rangers including one that raised the eyebrows of a former Ibrox great.
- READ MORE: Rangers Net Transfer Spend Summer 2024
Connor Barron drop surprises former Rangers midfielder
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound, Derek Ferguson was surprised at one name in particular being missing when the line-ups were announced.
Connor Barron has been a near every present; however, he made way for Nicolas Raskin in the engine room with Ferguson singing the Scotland Under-21 international’s praises:
“A little bit surprised that Barron is not starting and Raskin has come in to replace him.
“Apart from his midweek mistake, he has slotted in ever so well and has been Rangers’ best player.”
For some, Barron’s mistake against Lyon was considered as the reason for the switch, the real reason isn’t quite as newsworthy:
Philippe Clement answered any questions as to why Barron was missing from the starting line-up having been a regular fixture since arriving from Aberdeen:
“Connor Barron has been playing a lot of minutes in the last weeks and months and been very important in that way.
“We need to see also that we don’t burn him alive and Nico is doing good things in training came also in a good way on Thursday so it is his moment.”
Raskin v Barron for Rangers playmaker role
Clement has spoken recently about it being Barron v Raskin for the number six position.
Barron’s form coupled with Raskin being out injured in the early stages of the season and only just working his way back, has made Clement’s job easy.
With the Belgian youngster fit again, it is more of a fair fight.
The biggest difference between the two is that Raskin is a better passer in terms of vision and range.
As early as the sixth minute, the 23-year old played a first time, clipped through ball that was an inch away from being perfect.
Barron would be more likely to look forward and play a ball into feet.
The number six or deep-lying playmaker role is such an important one for Rangers but hasn’t really been properly addressed since Steven Davis retired.
Clement did speak about trying to get one in the summer, although, until the January window opens, he will have to make do with Raskin and Barron.
