Philippe Clement is still getting to know his Rangers squad, however, if he has truly seen every game that we have played this season then there is an obvious decision that he has to make.
When he subbed Todd Cantwell before half-time, it was always going to raise a few eyebrows, but it was one that could have been avoided.
When Ross McCausland levelled the score and looked most likely to score again, Philippe Clement could feel justified in his call but Sam Lammers should never have seen the second half for Rangers, a problem that we have seen before.
Philippe Clement explains why Rangers player came off
The Rangers boss was honest enough to explain why Cantwell was taken off instead of Lammers and pointed to the instructions that were being given not being followed, Philippe Clement justifying his decision:
“We didn’t create any depth on the right side with Todd, he was coming into the ball all of the time and that was not the idea.
“Then we created an easy game for them, what they like.
“I wanted to have more width on the right side and create more actions behind their defence.
“What Ross did, he did in a good way was be high – and he scored a goal like that.“
Why Todd Cantwell sub was Clement’s first mistake
Given the options available with Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence just returning to fitness, there was always going to be a change at number ten.
But, as we saw against Aris Limassol, that should have been Todd Cantwell coming into the middle into his preferred position and where he has played his best football for us.
If Philippe Clement wanted width and pace, play the only natural Rangers winger in the squad who was fully fit and on form in Ross McCausland from the start.
The second half at Ibrox proved that Clement, for once, got it wrong.
Not in taking Cantwell off but by not starting him in the middle and McCausland out on the right.
Hopefully, the Gers boss has learned his lesson because if he truly wants the fans on board, Lammers can’t be starting anytime soon.
