Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has provided an update to RangersTV on Matt Polster, who is feeling it after playing 90 minutes against Ross County on Wednesday night.
Replacing Jon Flanagan in the lineup, it was the 26-year-old’s first league start for the club almost exactly a year after his arrival.
He may only have a total of seven appearances for the Gers, but he’s certainly a burgeoning fan favourite, with many Bears praising his efforts in the 2-0 win.
In the absence of injured skipper, James Tavernier, Polster represents a much more positive option than Flanagan, with the American keen to surge down the right flank and to get crosses into the area.
His manager was impressed by what he offered but suggested that the full game had taken its toll.
“I think he’s feeling that, in there,” Gerrard told RangersTV. “He’s got ice in a couple of places, so we’ll have to get him rested and recovered.”
“I’m pleased for him because he works really hard every single day and he’s a good person around the place.
“So he deserved an opportunity and I thought it was a positive performance from him as well.”
Verdict
For quite some time, it was unclear what had been the point of bringing Matt Polster to the club.
The formerly free agent had penned a two-and-a-half-year deal, but arriving in Glasgow with no experience of British football, he was way down the pecking order.
Gerrard appeared to be only willing to involve him against lower-level opposition such as St Joseph’s and East Fife or for late cameos in games when victory had already been secured.
It’s been a long time coming from the player’s point of view, but finally, a mixture of a rare injury to Tavernier and the poor form of Flanagan has seen him handed two genuine opportunities to shine. He’s taken them.
As long as he recovers well over the coming days, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be retained for the weekend clash against Aberdeen, as he looks to put together a run of appearances.
Earlier in the week, we discussed Steven Gerrard’s current options at right-back, over on our YouTube channel.
