After Saturday’s 1-0 win over Dundee, Steven Gerrard hinted that a first Rangers start for Juninho Bacuna may be just around the corner [RangersTV].
Bacuna signed for the Gers from Huddersfield Town on a two-year deal at the back end of the summer transfer window.
However, it was several weeks before he was considered for selection, as he’d been training on his own at his former club and hadn’t had the benefit of a proper pre-season.
He caught the eye of supporters in recent cameos against Motherwell and Livingston and plenty of Bears were disappointed to see him miss out on the starting XI at Dens Park.
The Curacao international would eventually make it onto the pitch, but only for the final eight minutes of the contest.
Gerrard has called for patience but says a first starting role is close.
“We’ve only given him the time to show us moments but there’s a start on the horizon for him,” he said [RangersTV]. “Hopefully, it’ll be in the next couple of games and if not, we’ll get him a start pretty soon because he’s an exciting player, he can combine, he can fight, he can hustle and he’ll make us better.”
“But, you’ve got to remember that the kid hasn’t had a pre-season so we need patience with him as well.”
Rangers boss Gerrard drops Bacuna tease after Dundee win
Bacuna has now come off the bench in each of Rangers’ last three matches and the early signs are encouraging.
He looks comfortable in possession, is capable of playing defence-splitting passes and isn’t afraid to shoot from distance.
Next up for the Gers is a trip to the Czech Republic to take on Sparta Prague in the Europa League. That would be a high-pressure game in which to make a first start but it’s clear that Gerrard wants his new signing to play a big role going forward.
Earlier in the same interview, the manager heaped praise on an ‘absolute powerhouse’.
