January signings Oscar Cortes and Mohamed Diomande could make their full debuts for Rangers during Saturday’s Scottish Cup fifth round clash with Ayr United at Ibrox.
That is according to Philippe Clement, the Gers boss weighing up whether or not to ring the chances against second-tier opposition, albeit one all-too keen to take on the role of David going up against the Glasgow Goliath with former Celtic skipper Scott Brown in the dugout.
Clement confirms that Rangers will be able to call upon Ben Davies and Ryan Jack against Ayr United. There is also the ‘possibility’ of maiden starts in Scottish football for Oscar Cortes and Mohamed Diomande, the former arriving on loan from Lens and the latter a £4 million-plus winter acquisition from FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark.
Rangers host Scott Brown’s Ayr United in Scottish Cup
“They are ready to start but not yet to play 90 minutes,” Clement explains. So that’s a possibility, yes.”
Diomande donned Rangers blue for the first time off the bench in Tuesday’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Aberdeen. Cortes played a much larger role in proceedings, however, a buzzing and energetic presence on the left-hand side.
Clement has been full of praise for the speed in which Cortes – a Colombia international who was snapped up by Lens for £4 million – has adapted to life on UK soil.
Ayr’s visit will come too soon, however, for both Tom Lawrence and Leon Balogun.
Full debuts on the cards for Ibrox duo
“Ben Davies is back in for selection (but) Tom Lawrence won’t be in the squad,” Clement adds, keen to avoid overloading a man with his ‘history of injuries’. “We need to be careful with players. There is clear communication with the medical staff and the players.
“Leon (Balogun) went to see the specialist and I expect him back next week, not now. Is it Ross County or the weekend? I’m not sure about that. It’s not a long-term thing. We’ll see how it all evolves next week.”
Clement confirms that Balogun will wear a mask for the forseeable future after suffering a facial injury in last week’s 3-0 victory over Livingston.
