During Philippe Clement’s honeymoon period, except for the first half against Sparta Prague and leaving it late against Hearts at home, it has largely been plain sailing for the new Rangers boss.
There have been injuries to deal with but it is clear that there is a core of players who he feels that he can trust to carry out his instructions.
What this also means is that there are players under Philippe Clement who haven’t had as much game time and who the Rangers manager has yet to put his full faith in.
Philippe Clement already has Rangers players on fringes
Jose Cifuentes
The Ecuadorian was unlucky in that he returned to the club from international duty injured, just as the Belgian had taken charge.
Since returning to fitness though, he has hardly played with Ryan Jack starting more consecutive games than he has for some time.
With Tom Lawrence back and Sam Lammers and Todd Cantwell in the squad, Cifuentes will have to adapt his game or face even more time on the bench.
Ridvan Yilmaz
Going forwards, Ridvan probably suits the style of play that Philippe Clement is trying to bring to Rangers.
The problem, as we saw against Hearts at Ibrox, is that opposition teams target him defensively because of his height.
The question was always going to be about whether or not Borna Barisic could adapt and not just throw crosses in, which he has done at the young Turk’s expense.
Todd Cantwell
It might seem like a strange name to throw in, however, it is Sam Lammers that was preferred in the key number 10 role in every game until Lawrence made his first start against Livingston.
Philippe Clement is aware that he has a talented player in Cantwell but he has consistently pushed him out to the right-hand side of midfield rather than in a more central position in Rangers recent games.
His goal against Sparta Prague was proof that he can be a genuine option in this position, but the fact that he was then subbed at half-time suggests that the manager doesn’t fully trust him, just yet.
The squad has been limited since Philippe Clement arrived at Rangers but, on the other side of the international break, he will have more players to choose from.
With a run of fixtures that includes Aberdeen away, Hearts away, Aris Limassol at home, Real Betis away and the league cup final, we’ll soon find out who the ones he really trusts are.
