Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has admitted that his team selection for Wednesday night’s Premiership fixture against Hibernian could be affected by concerns about the Easter Road pitch [Scotsman].
The Gers head to the capital looking to at least maintain their 23-point lead at the top of the table, with Celtic in action at the same time against Hamilton at Parkhead.
Easter Road has proved to be a tricky venue for Gerrard at times in the past and his side dropped two points there in a 2-2 draw in September.
Hibs were knocked out of the League Cup by St Johnstone on Saturday but they are likely to up their game against the Light Blues and the Gers boss says he may be prompted into selection changes by the poor condition of the pitch.
“Hibs have recruited well, got a good manager but I don’t think the playing surface looks too good on the eye from what I’ve seen in recent games that I’ve watched,” said Gerrard [Scotsman]. “It will be a challenge, it will be a test.”
“I take everything into consideration all the time. I look at all the details (including the pitch). We always try to pick a team that is capable of winning the game, of course. But certain things you have to take into consideration around that as well.
Hibs last played at Easter Road on 16 January when they recorded a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock.
The surface looked very bare and sandy in places for that game and with temperatures still low and snowfall a possibility early this week, its condition is unlikely to improve drastically before Wednesday night.
As a result, Gerrard could opt not to risk some of the more injury-prone members of his playing squad in the game, such as Ryan Jack and Kemar Roofe.
Jack impressed off the bench in his first outing since November against Ross County at the weekend, while Roofe was an unused substitute on his return to the matchday squad following a minor thigh problem.
A player Gerrard recently praised for adding an ‘extra dimension’ to his game will be hoping to get a chance to build on his return to form against Hibs.
