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Parks names just three Rangers players would feature in a combined XI with Celtic
Former Clyde striker Gordon Parks has claimed that only three Rangers players would make it into a combined Old Firm XI.
The former footballer turned journalist has responded to Barry Ferguson‘s claims that a team made up of the best players from Rangers and Celtic’s squads would consist entirely of Gers players.
Speaking in The Daily Record, Parks branded Ferguson’s claims as ‘clearly nonsense’ while naming the three Gers players he believes would make the combined XI.
He said, “A calm assessment of both squads would suggest three Light Blue stars have a claim for a spot in the select side – Allan McGregor, Borna Barisic and Ryan Kent, with Steven Davis a decent shout to be squeezed onto the subs’ bench.
“For all of Celtic’s recent struggles, they remain the better side. It’s why Lennon wouldn’t swap any of his top players for a few notables across the other side of the city.
“The likes of Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack, James Tavernier and even a recently more reliable Connor Goldson remain short of what’s required to alter their status as perennial title-chasers rather than winner.”
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It’s hard to know where to begin with Park’s claims. But let’s start with the most outrageous aspect of his opinion. If there was to be a combined side of Rangers and Celtic players James Tavernier would be the first name on the team sheet.
The Gers captain has comfortably been the best player in Scotland this season. The full-back has six goals and five assists in the Scottish Premiership this season, which is more than any Hoops player. Who would Parks have instead of Tavernier? Jeremie Frimpong?
It is simply laughable for Parks to claim he is making a ‘calm assessment’ before providing a fairly biased view of a Celtic side who are trailing Rangers by nine points and was well beaten in this season’s Old Firm.
Hopefully, someone will pass Parks’ comments along to the Ibrox dressing room as we’re sure they would provide some extra motivation to wrestle the title back from the Hoops this season.
In other Rangers news, Rangers coach Michael Beale was left raging with a VAR decision against Leeds United in their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.