Rangers got back to winning ways at home yesterday and did so without their captain in the starting XI.
It was far from easy against St Mirren as for long stages looked like they could get away from Ibrox with at least a point and Gers could have been heading for more dropped points and more soul-searching afterwards.
But to the players’ credit they did get the job done and three points in the bag to stay in touch with Celtic and Aberdeen before Wednesday’s trip to Pittodrie.
Michael Stewart expects James Tavernier back in the Rangers side
For a long time now there has been a feeling that James Tavernier’s place in the Rangers team was too secure and that he could at least be rested from time to time.
That has happened twice now this season, the second being yesterday’s home game against Stephen Robinson’s side.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo has impressed on his brief outings to date and was handed a chance to play from the start at right-back yesterday.
Tavernier did play for the final 30 minutes after coming on for Robin Propper and his replacement in the XI shuffling inside.
So, what happens on Wednesday? Well, Michael Stewart says it would be astonishing if the skipper doesn’t play in such a big game.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene, he said: “I would be absolutely flabbergasted if Tavernier is not playing against Aberdeen. It’s a monumental game for Rangers.
“I would be astonished if Tavernier is not playing in the game.”
Rangers must find a place for Dujon Sterling
Another option at right-back would be Dujon Sterling but the utility man has also operated in central midfield as well on the wings.
He hasn’t had as much game time of late and came on as a sub at Ibrox yesterday.
And while Stewart feels the captain will definitely play in the north-east, he reckons it’s also imperative for Philippe Clement to find a spot for Sterling too.
He added: “The one for me with regards to right-back or somewhere on the park…you think back to the back end of last season and Sterling was a…he had to be finding somewhere in the team.
“And yes, things have not really started this season and it has been a little bit stop-start for him.
“I still think one of the major problems with Rangers is a bit of intensity, winners in the side. Sterling strikes me as someone that can be that.
“I think it is incumbent on the manager to get his confidence back up and you find a somewhere in the team for him.
“Be it right-back, centre mid, anywhere on the park. You need to try and get characters like that in the team.”
