Right now, every Rangers game is important, but few journeys in the SPFL are more difficult than going to Rugby Park to see Kilmarnock.
On the first day of play, Michael Beale focused too much on opposing their physicality rather than his own team, but he won’t be as preoccupied under new Gers manager Philippe Clement.
He will have to make due without the option of starting Kemar Roofe, who just returned to the Rangers, off the bench. The manager has made hints that this may give another player in the squad a chance to play against Kilmarnock.
Rangers boss to give youth a chance against Kilmarnock
Given his well-known problems, it seems likely that Roofe will skip the short trip to Ayrshire, as evidenced by his 45-minute stint for the B squad on Monday.
Notably, Killie is rumored to be getting rid of the artificial surface shortly. Until then, though, a 31-year-old with a five-year history of calf issues is unlikely to be risked on such a pitch.
Prior to the match, Philippe Clement stated that Roofe’s absence will allow a different member of the Rangers roster to make an impression against Kilmarnock:
The surface is the sole reason I am unable to include Kemar Roofe in the selection once more.
Thus, given his injuries and the severity of them, my medical staff is clearly saying that it is too dangerous. Playing on that type of pitch is disadvantageous in that sense.
However, we must adjust once more, and there is an opportunity for another player.”
Sadly, there aren’t any clear-cut forward candidates to take up the void left by someone who regularly achieves a high goals per minute ratio.
Clement isn’t afraid to use young players rather than play someone out of position, as we’ve seen from him in the past.
Before sustaining a hamstring injury that required surgery, Zak Lovelace made an impression. However, now that he is healthy again, he is the kind of player who can have an impact.
Additionally, Lovelace provides a core solution that neither Ross McCausland nor Scott Wright can.
Rangers supporters would be happy to see Lovelace back in the team for the match against Kilmarnock, even though Cyriel Dessers and Fabio Silva will be expected to lead the line in Roofe’s absence.
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