Rangers boss Philippe Clement cannot afford to misplace his loyalties at Ibrox as the pressure ramps up ahead of the Europa League clash with Olympiacos.
The Belgian manager has been tasked with overhauling an underachieving Rangers side and shipped out no fewer than 16 names in the summer transfer window.
With a more youthful Rangers now looking to the future, the form of captain James Tavernier is the subject of intense discussion amongst fans in Glasgow.
But with Philippe Clement now taking the decision to drop Tavernier for the clash in Greece, it’s certainly turned a few heads amongst Rangers supporters.
Rangers fans reacts as James Tavernier dropped
Rangers fans have been reacting to the news that club captain James Tavernier has been dropped for the Europa League trip to Greece to face Olympiacos.
The Rangers skipper coming out is one of three changes from the team that started the win over Motherwell, with Dujon Sterling coming in at right-back to replace the skipper.
Mohamed Diomande starts in place of injured Welsh international Tom Lawrence, whilst Robin Propper comes in to the centre of defence in place of Leon Balogun.
But it’s the absence of James Tavernier which has turned the most heads at Rangers with fans explaining it’s about time.
One fan said that ‘the phase out has begun’ with regards Rangers captain James Tavernier, whilst another claimed it was a ‘big call’ from Philippe Clement.
One supporter said it was ‘about time’ Tavernier was dropped but another fan suggested fans might be careful what they wish for with regards the Ibrox skipper.
Claiming it’s a ‘massive call from Clement’, the Belgian manager risks getting it in the neck if it backfires.
But whilst there was a general sentiment of agreement that James Tavernier should be dropped, the inclusion of misfiring striker Cyriel Dessers also drew some attention.
Philippe Clement challenges Dujon Sterling
With Dujon Sterling given the nod ahead of James Tavernier against Olympiacos, Philippe Clement challenged the Rangers defender to get back to his best this season.
Injuries have impacted the form of the 24-year-old utility man, who also signed a new contract earlier in the campaign.
Philippe Clement was asked about the situation with Sterling ahead of the Europa League trip to Greece and challenged the defender to return to his form of old.
The Rangers manager also suggested that Dujon Sterling won’t last the 90 minutes in Piraeus.
“I’m not sure that he’s ready now for 90 minutes in games,” said Clement. “That he needs to prove the next weeks.
“He’s been struggling two months with not a big injury but something that stopped him of really sprinting, really being his normal self, like he was last season.
“Because of that he didn’t have really the level that he had before so that’s why he played less minutes.
“So finally with the medical staff we found a solution how to solve it. It’s solved now, he feels better and that’s why he played better also.
“It’s normal that he will get more minutes if he plays better. Those are the rules in football, in the squad.
“It’s about proving yourself in the trainings and in the games when you come in that you’re ready.
“I hope we can get back the Dujon that we saw last season because in the beginning of the season he almost didn’t play, and I was surprised when I came in the first weeks that he didn’t play, because of what I saw and after he played a lot of minutes.
“So we hope to see that Dujon again.”
