Gerrard names Rangers MOTM after ‘Outstanding’ display in 1-0 win at Kilmarnock
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has named Cedric Itten as his man of the match in the 1-0 win away at Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Itten, 23, is naturally a centre-forward but was chosen to play on the right-hand side of Rangers’ attack at Rugby Park this weekend.
Although the Switzerland international didn’t get on the scoresheet with James Tavernier’s first-half penalty securing all three points, he clearly did enough to earn Gerrard’s plaudits on the plastic pitch in Ayrshire.
When asked about Itten’s display, Gerrard was shown by PLZ Soccer as saying: “Superb, man of the match. Man of the match, hands down.
“This is one of the hardest places to come as a team and for an individual, especially in the forward areas because they’ve got good defenders who are physical and make it really make it uncomfortable for you.
“His hold-up play today. I think Kris Boyd was up in the box. That was a top all-round performance for someone who’s big and strong. He was a threat. He was outstanding.”
Itten hasn’t had too many chances to impress since moving to Ibrox in the summer.
The former St Gallen striker earned just his third start across all competitions on Sunday but has been regularly used as a substitute by Gerrard.
In those appearances as a sub, it’s been difficult for Itten to make an impact, especially when he’s been coming off the bench when games are pretty much won.
His two goals in the 5-1 win against Motherwell at Fir Park are still Itten’s only goals in Rangers colours but we hope he’s able to start firing in more soon.
Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Jermain Defoe are Itten’s rivals when it comes to getting into Gerrard’s starting line-up and all of them have scored lately.
But, impressing Gerrard for doing every else a forward does is definitely a major help in trying to get a spot in his plans.
In other Rangers news, Gareth McAuley has been raving about this Gers star.