Philippe Clement is almost certain to shuffle his pack to some extent when Rangers host Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup on Sunday.
To what extent, only time will tell.
But a fourth round clash against fifth-tier opposition – even if Fraserburgh boss Mark Cowie insists they have ‘a plan’ to secure one of the cup’s biggest ever upsets – certainly offers an opportunity to Rangers’ fringe players and youngsters.
Zak Lovelace and Bailey Rice impressed Philippe Clement on the training pitch over the last week or so. In fact, the academy duo were even included on the bench for Rangers’ 3-0 hammering of Aberdeen on Wednesday as Rabbi Matondo and Kieran Dowell were dropped entirely.
Cyriel Dessers understands why he has fallen behind Hamza Igamane in Clement’s pecking order but the exit-linked £4.5 million striker will be hoping for a rare start himself against Fraserburgh.
And, reading between the lines, the fact that Ross McCausland was selected to perform pre-match duties alongside his manager seems to suggest that the Northern Ireland international will be back on the team sheet too.
Ross McCausland admits lack of Rangers starts is ‘frustrating’
“I think it is an opportunity for many of the boys, including myself, to go and show that we are ready to fight for the rest of the season,” McCausland told reporters on his Friday press conference.
“It will be good. It is the type of game that comes around not so often for boys to get a chance to get minutes and stuff like that so we are really looking forward to it.”
Thanks largely to the exceptional form of Vaclav Cerny, McCausland has not started a single Rangers game since that 2-1 reverse at Aberdeen back in October.
“Of course, I think it is clear to see I haven’t been playing or really getting minutes and that is something that is frustrating,” McCausland adds. “But I am working hard every day and I am trying to battle for a place in the team every week.
“If selected it is an opportunity for myself to go out and show that I am ready and that I am back to full fitness from my injury, I am really looking forward to it.”
Rangers aiming for Scottish Cup glory as Fraserburgh clash looms
Rangers have won the Scottish Cup only once since 2009.
Though given the depth at Clement’s disposal these days – McCausland would walk into most Premiership XIs while Rangers signed Rafael Fernandes on loan from Lille on Saturday – balancing league and cup competitions should not prove to be too daunting a challenge at Ibrox.
“We want to win this cup for sure. It would be amazing to win it this year,” McCausland smiles. “It is definitely something that we plan to do.
“Some games you see a lot of upsets. But, I think, going into this game it is all about mentality and just playing our own football and trying to play the way we have been playing every week. We won’t prep for this game no different than what we prepped for the Aberdeen game.
“I think it is just keeping our heads on the straight and narrow and taking it as a normal game.”
