Philippe Clement has spoken about how his settling period will be used to assess his squad so that he can decide who is, and who isn’t, going to cut his Rangers team.
Unfortunately, a lot of the players only arrived in the summer under Michael Beale so there will be areas where the new boss just has to work with what he’s got.
The previous manager had his favourites but who, since Philippe Clement arrived have emerged as players that could be considered as his trusted options for Rangers?
Philippe Clement and his three trusted Rangers lieutenants
John Lundstram
It’s became pretty clear that it is John Lundstram plus one in the double pivot in midfield.
Back to his best, he has shown that he can protect the back four and build play from the back, as well as play the sort of ball that led to Todd Cantwell’s goal against Sparta Prague.
Out of contract in the summer, it would now be a surprise if the 30-year old doesn’t get offered a new deal.
Leon Balogun
It looked as though the Nigeria international was only going to see more game time if there was an injury crisis, and yet, Philippe Clement has turned to him on a couple of occasions through choice in his Rangers starting XI.
The 35-year old has shown that he still has plenty to offer and, depending on the opposition, he remains a useful option.
Borna Barisic
Ridvan Yilmaz has shown under Phillipe Clement what he can offer Rangers with his more dynamic and risk-taking style of play, however, it is the Croatian that looks to be preferred.
The manager has said that there are no favourites but the way that Barisic has adapted his game and been noticeably more adventurous has seen him given the nod when both are available.
The narrative that Philippe Clement is setting is that he wants Rangers success to be built on a squad game and that different players will be needed for different games.
Every manager is the same though and there will always be players who they trust when it matters.
Interestingly though, all three of these players are out of contract in the summer.
