Philippe Clement has yet to be able to look at his team sheet and name his best XI for Rangers, every week there has been an issue somewhere.
This week, the biggest problem is midfield with Sunday’s cup final squad availability now standing at John Lundstram, and John Lundstram only.
Speaking as part of the build-up to the Europa League fixture with Real Betis, Philippe Clement’s update suggests that there could be a risk taken in Rangers midfield.
Philippe Clement and Rangers midfield option for final
We know for certain that Nicolas Raskin is out, Tom Lawrence is out and Jose Cifuentes is out.
For Todd Cantwell, due to personal reasons, we probably won’t know until the team line-up is announced.
Kieran Dowell hasn’t played at senior level for months but did take part in a challenge cup game with the B team, getting on the scoresheet in the process.
Then there is Ryan Jack.
The Scotland international, as confirmed by manager Philippe Clement, is close to a Rangers return and was expected to travel to Spain only to narrowly miss out.
What does this mean for the ViaPlay Cup final then?
Jack has shown in the past, because of the nature of his injury problems, that he can go from not playing to straight back into the team.
However, Philippe Clement tends to take things slower with his Rangers players when bringing them back.
If he does, putting a square peg in a round hole doesn’t make sense but forgotten man Dowell isn’t the most likely option either.
Unless, he does what he hasn’t done so far and take a risk.
Dujon Sterling was all over the place at Ibrox against Dundee, but not in a good way, however, against Real Betis he was a standout in the second half proving that he can play in midfield.
What is impressive is he isn’t just a destroyer either and started attacks on more than one occasion.
The energy and athleticism of Sterling or, the wise old head of Jack?
