‘Red flag’ – Exclusive: McLeish names two important Gers youngsters set for ‘good game-time’
We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Alex McLeish has said that young Gers players Nathan Patterson and Calvin Bassey will be really important for Rangers as the season starts to bite.
Steven Gerrard talked the young full-backs up this week and warned James Tavernier and Borna Barisic that they’d need to keep flying to keep their places in the side.
As quoted in the Daily Record Gerrard said, “Both James and Borna know they have a challenge for their positions which is good for us.
“I wouldn’t think twice about putting Nathan in to start a game the way he’s looking and training. And Calvin has already proved that he’s capable of stepping in as well.”
Talking exclusively to Ibrox News McLeish said, “It’s due to the strength of the squad. It seems to be at the right time that Rangers are getting these players through, younger ones as well who are pushing the experienced guys.
“Can they fill the slot if we lose a Tavernier or a Barisic? It looks on paper like they can. It’s going to be a long season for these players.
“I think they can definitely get some good game-time. That will be uppermost in Gerrard’s mind, the overload on some of the players that play every single week.
“There will be an amber flag or a red flag at some stage that says, ‘gaffer you’ve got to give this player a break’.
“That’s when the Gers players like Patterson and Bassey can step up, that’s where they’ll prove how important they are.
“However, it’s a balancing act. You’ve got to keep the balance of the team. You’ve seen what’s happened to Celtic over the last few weeks with a few players out.”
Patterson has made two appearances for Rangers this season, playing 48 minutes in the Europa League qualifier against Lincoln and a short four-minute run-out in the 2-0 win against Kilmarnock.
Bassey has started two games this season and made seven appearances in all competitions.
In other Rangers news, ‘It might be £50m’ – Exclusive: McLeish makes big Rangers transfer claim