Andy Halliday could earn just his second league start of the season for Rangers, should Borna Barisic miss Wednesday night’s clash against Kilmarnock through injury.
Much to the dismay of onlooking supporters, first-choice left-back, Barisic, sustained an injury during the Scottish Cup win over Hamilton at the weekend.
The Croatian international managed to carry on briefly but was then substituted with little over 20 minutes of the game remaining.
Steven Gerrard then admitted that the player wouldn’t train on Tuesday and only had an ‘outside chance’ of facing Killie [Rangers FC Twitter].
It would be a big blow for the Gers to be without one of their star performers, but Barisic’s misfortune could prove to be Halliday’s gain.
The diehard bluenose was the player subbed on at left-back at the weekend, and looks likeliest to fill in for Barisic should he fail his late fitness test.
To some extent, that’s down to the poor performances of Jon Flanagan following the winter break. He’s previously been the go-to backup left-back, but after disappointing when deputising for James Tavernier at on the right, he’s been omitted from the last four matchday squads.
Circumstances appear to have combined to hand an opportunity to Halliday, then, whose only previous league start of the season came way back in September, against Livingston.
The 28-year-old isn’t totally undercooked, though. In addition to his cameo at Accies, he played 90 minutes against Stranraer in mid-January.
His inclusion wouldn’t be ideal. He’s not a natural defender, and he’s less potent in attack than Barisic, failing to register an assist in nine appearances in all competitions this campaign.
However, he is at least a natural left-footer and he’s shown in the past an ability to perform in big games.
A player with a Man of the Match in an Old Firm, won’t be overawed by a trip to Rugby Park.
That said, Gerrard will need a solid individual performance from the rarely seen Ger against opponents who have hit their stride this month.
