Rangers’ team news for Spartak has yet to be revealed, but should Steven Gerrard field Gareth McAuley tomorrow?
The centre-back is nearing a return to full-fitness, but his availability hasn’t been confirmed. If he is ready and able to go, is there a case for him being given a shot?
After all, the Russian side are vulnerable and shouldn’t pose the same threat they once did. Added to that, Rangers have consistently had defensive concerns ever since Gerrard messed about with it in the first place.
Joe Worrall isn’t convincing supporters. He comes across as a confident player, but his performances are error-prone and need to be improved upon if he’s to be a success here.
Gerrard also hasn’t shown any fear in giving players a run-out in high-profile games. Just look at how Worrall actually broke into the team in the first place. He wasn’t tipped to be anywhere near the starting XI, but was thrown in against Villarreal. All credit to him, because he put in a terrific performance.
Still waiting to see something
We’re yet to see anything from McAuley as of yet, but plenty of Rangers fans are aware of him. He has sensational pedigree down in the English Premier League with West Brom. Making 227 appearances, he’s come up against some of the best forwards in the world.
Dealing with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Eden Hazard can’t have been easy. What it does mean, however, is that McAuley won’t be overawed playing against the likes of Spartak on Thursday night.
Rangers’ coach Michael Beale stated that McAuley has had injury and fitness concerns this season. It’s only due to those concerns that supporters haven’t seen anything from him at Ibrox as of yet.
Throwing him in against the likes of Moscow isn’t like throwing any new signing in. He has plenty of experience and success in dealing with world-class forwards. That’s not to say he would do a terrific job, but he wouldn’t have any fear heading into the match.
Rangers will likely go with Worrall and Connor Goldson as the centre-back partnership once more. Despite the fact it’s failing to impress, Gerrard has preferred to stick with it.
Would you stick McAuley in tomorrow night? Let us know in the comments below.
