Ben Wild

Sun 17 January 2021 7:00, UK

Former Motherwell striker Andy Walker has claimed that new boss Graham Alexander couldn’t be facing a tougher home debut as he gears up to face Rangers. 

Alexander took over from Stephen Robinson in early January and he faces he first game at Fir Park against the runaway Scottish Premiership leaders on Sunday.

While doing his weekly predictions for Sky Sports, Walker tipped one lesser-seen Rangers attacker to shine against Motherwell while also admitting that he can’t see the Gers losing.

He said, “Graham Alexander couldn’t have asked for a tougher test in his home debut as manager than taking on high-flying Rangers.

“At Fir Park in September, Steven Robinson tried a toe-to-toe strategy with the league leaders and lost heavily, 5-1. On the scoresheet that day was Cedric Itten and I expect to see him involved again.

“For Motherwell, midfielder Liam Polworth was very impressive in Alexander’s first game in charge at St Mirren, giving Tony Watt and Devante Cole good service. But as I’ve said before, it is hard to see Rangers losing a goal never mind a game these days.”

Cedric Itten grabbed his first goals in the blue of Rangers when Steven Gerrard’s men first travelled to Fir Park earlier this season.

His first was a brilliant drilled effort from the edge of the box and while his second was a less impressive poke home after the Steelmen failed to clear a corner, it kick-started Itten’s Ibrox career.

The 24-year-old also scored against Motherwell in the reverse fixture over the festive period and as Walker predicts, there is a good chance that he will be involved again.

Itten could do with getting more starts under his belt and what better time to give him one than on the return to the ground where he grabbed his first goals for his new club.

A start for the Swiss international would certainly ease the burden on Alfredo Morelos with Kemar Roofe still out injured.

In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton claims SPFL could face ‘outcry’ over Bears claims