As Rangers prepare to host St Johnstone at Ibrox they will have to do so without striker Alfredo Morelos who will once again be unavailable after another controversy.
The Colombian firebrand has been retrospectively punished for the second time this season after a clash with Hibs defender Ryan Porteous and a subsequent retrospective ban.
But despite railing against a lack of consistency in retrospective decision-making in Scotland, the Ibrox club has reluctantly accepted the player’s three-match ban.
However, in doing so they have also handed an opportunity to one player in particular who will be desperate to take full advantage in the coming matches.
In his pre-match press conference looking ahead to the game, Steven Gerrard confirmed both Swiss forward Cedric Itten and ex-Leeds man Kemar Roofe would get chances in the coming matches.
But it’s the former of these who has most found opportunities limited despite £2.7m summer signing Cedric Itten [Sky Sports] impressing in a range of cameo appearances.
During the player’s last domestic start – the 3-2 defeat to St. Mirren – none of the Gers team covered themselves in glory and Itten will be hoping to be handed another chance against the Perthshire Saints.
“Yes it does [present other players with opportunities],” said Gerrard [Rangers].
“It also goes to show that the decisions made in the summer window regarding getting the right quality and firepower, getting them signings in in terms of Cedric and Kemar, was really key.
“They’re both looking ready, Cedric’s looking fantastic, Kemar is as well and they’ll both get opportunities in the coming games.”
Itten, 24, has made only three domestic starts for the Gers this season, twice against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership and once in the aforementioned cup defeat to St. Mirren.
Could he make it four this evening? – here’s how we fancy Rangers to line-up at Ibrox against St. Johnstone.
