Warren Dunn

Mon 7 December 2020 11:01, UK

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard said that Cedric Itten was “magnificent” against Ross County on Sunday during his 15-minute cameo and said that the player would get starts going forward.

Itten provided the assist for Jermain Defoe to score Rangers’ fourth on Sunday, as they beat Ross County 4-0 at Global Energy Stadium and moved 13 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

The Switzerland international has started just three matches this season, scoring twice, but will be hoping for more opportunities going forward (via WhoScored).

Speaking after the match, Gerrard said that Itten would get the chance to start more often in the future.

“I thought Cedric was magnificent for [Defoe’s] goal and he is a big help knowing that he can help kill teams off,” he told Rangers’ official website.

“He will get enough starting games and he will get enough cameos coming on and he will be a big, important player for us moving forward.”

At just 23 years old, Itten is already an international and has shown promise in his brief Rangers career.

Rarely given the chance to start as a central striker, he has been forced to play the majority of his minutes on the wing, but he took his opportunity on Sunday.

In just 15 minutes on the pitch, he completed one key pass for the assist and one dribble and had 10 touches of the ball (via WhoScored).

With Kemar Roofe, Alfredo Morelos, Jermain Defoe, Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo all ahead of him in the pecking order it was vital he took his chance and it is clear that Gerrard recognised his impact.

With seven matches to play before the end of the month in three different competitions, the starting opportunities will come to him if he is patient. His versatility and willingness to play across the front line is a big advantage and he is likely to start against St Mirren in the Betfred League Cup quarter-final on December 16.

In other Rangers news, Ferguson hails ‘stand out’ Rangers unsung hero v Standard Liege