Ibrox View: Rangers first teamer surely deserves better after reported exit planned
RANGERS OPINION
Rangers are surely facing their most testing summer in quite some time this year.
Not only do we have the mounting uncertainty of how things will pan out amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, but with Celtic so far ahead in the title race, it’s almost certain that Steven Gerrard will have to significantly readjust his squad if he is to have any chance of finding more success in his bid for the top next term.
And according to The Scottish Sun, he may already be eyeing up some players for the exit door.
The outlet names six stars who may never play for the Gers again, naming Wes Foderingham, Jon Flanagan, Florian Kamberi, Ianis Hagi, Sheyi Ojo, and Andy Halliday as the potential victims.
Of those names, Foderingham and Flanagan barely get a look in, while Kamberi, Hagi, and Ojo are all loanees.
Halliday, on the other hand, is a bit of an odd inclusion.
While the 28-year-old may only have featured 12 times this season, his versatility and commitment to the cause have always been a real asset to the Gers.
What’s more, he’s largely impressed when he has been called upon this season.
Take the 2-2 draw against St. Johnstone, his last outing, as an example.
He may have been sacrificed after just 47 minutes for a more attacking option with his side in danger of dropping points, but he was solid and reliable in lieu of the absent Borna Barisic.
On the front foot, he registered a crossing accuracy of 100%, as per Wyscout, pushing on and aiming to deliver balls into the area from deeper positions with the intention catching the defence off-guard before they could properly set themselves, as seen in the image below.
Similarly, in the defensive third, he was assured and steady, winning four out of his six defensive duels and never looking like he was in any kind of drastic trouble.
As seen in the example below, his reading of the game is good, his natural defensive instincts are sharp, and even in an scenario like the one pictured, when one wrong move could see the entire left flank exposed, he trusts in his own abilities and quells the danger.
Nobody is saying that he should start ahead of Barisic, who is Gerrard’s undisputed number one, but at the very least, Halliday’s output deserves more than being ousted from the club in the next transfer window.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox View: McCoist absolutely right to hit back at Sutton after foolish Gers title claim.