James Tavernier was on the bench as Rangers beat Hearts 4-2 in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Danny Rohl opted to start Dujon Sterling, and the 26-year-old played 58 minutes before being taken off for Tavernier.
The decision to play Sterling over the club captain was a tactical one, as he would offer more defensive solidity.
Now, ahead of a game against Livingston, Rohl will need to decide which right-back gives his team the best chance of picking up the three points.
Chris Jack issues 90 minutes verdict on James Tavernier and Dujon Sterling
Writing in the Rangers Review, Chris Jack has claimed that neither Tavernier nor Sterling will be expected to play the full 90 minutes against Livingston.
Sterling has to be managed through a particular schedule as he is recovering from an injury setback and is not at one hundred per cent yet.
Tavernier, despite being 34, has been the first-choice right-back, particularly due to the lack of alternatives.
However, even he is unlikely to be able to sustain the rigours of a full 90 minutes without it taking a toll on him.
That said, as Sterling is still getting used to the pace and physicality of games, and the match on Sunday will be played on a plastic pitch, Tavernier is likelier to start, believes Jack.
Will Rangers sign a new right-back in the summer?
Currently, there are three senior right-backs at Rangers, but there remains a selection dilemma in that position.
Tavernier’s defensive lapses have been a topic of discussion for years, but he still plays the most minutes of any right-back.
Max Aarons was signed on loan from Bournemouth to address that issue as the hope was that he would usurp the captain and make the spot his own.
However, he has struggled with fitness and form himself, and unfortunately, the same holds true for Sterling.
Tavernier will be 35 this year, and Aarons is expected to return to his parent club, so signing a new right-back is imperative.
Hopefully, Dan Purdy and the recruitment team have some names in mind which they can run by Rohl and make things happen in the coming months.
