Rangers defender Jack Simpson has not enjoyed the brightest start to life at Ibrox but the ex-Bournemouth could be handed a shot at redemption amid a spate of injuries.
A January signing from the English Championship club, Simpson originally joined Rangers on loan before completing a pre-contract move in the summer.
Steven Gerrard has been a known admirer of Simpson for years and when he finally got his man there were hopes this would prove a shrewd move for the club.
Low-cost investment meets potentially high reward with Simpson an English homegrown player who could fetch a decent price if he does well up North.
But since joining the ranks at Ibrox the 24-year-old defender has struggled to get a run in the team and when he has appeared, Simpson has struggled to impress.
Making a sum total of 10 appearances for the Bears, Simpson has made only 46 top team career appearances to date between the Gers and the Cherries.
That’s a low number for someone Simpson’s age and his unconvincing performances at the club have seen the player moved to the fringes of the squad.
Summed up by Simpson’s lack of inclusion in the Europa League set-up – someone did have to miss out but Rangers opted for only three recognised centre-backs – there’s a feeling the player has some way to go to break into the side.
Could Jack Simpson earn Rangers redemption v St Mirren?
But against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, Jack may well be handed an opportunity to get his Rangers career back on track.
Nigerian international defender Leon Balogun went off in the 2-0 Europa League win over Brondby and it adds to some injury worries in the position.
Filip Helander – still in a protective boot after surgery – is out until at least December and Rangers’ options in the position are dwindling.
Left-back Calvin Bassey filled the position in Connor Goldson’s absence in the 1-0 defeat to Sparta Prague and should Balogun miss the St Mirren clash, then it’s surely between the ex-Leicester kid and Simpson to fill the slot.
If Jack gets the nod, then it may well prove a rare opportunity for an oft-criticised player to finally get his Rangers career up-and-running.
Speaking of Calvin Bassey, read how one Leicester City coach was “gutted” to see the talented former Foxes kid leave the King Power.
