Ibrox view: 100% pass accuracy, 2 key passes: Rangers 24y/o ready to be unleashed vs Hibs
Rangers breezed past Ross County at the weekend but Steven Gerrard should still consider making a change to his front-three against Hibernian.
The attack looked invigorated in the 5-0 demolition but there was no goal for Alfredo Morelos, who could make way for Cedric Itten on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old has started just two league games this term but has impressed in recent weeks.
He scored an important equaliser at Motherwell and performed well once again in his 30-minute substitute appearance on Saturday.
In fact, he barely put a foot wrong with 100% pass accuracy, and he also produced two key passes, per SofaScore.
Morelos performed well too so it is plausible that they could start together, since Steven Gerrard ended the Ross County game with Jermain Defoe partnering Itten.
If not, Stevie G may decide to rest Morelos since the match on Saturday was his fifth consecutive start.
Itten has been knocking on the door, too, and there are multiple positives to his game that support him starting.
The Switzerland international always provides energy up-front, and his aerial prowess adds a different dimension to the attack.
Let’s examine that first point a little further.
Itten has often been tasked with making an impact from the bench this season, but he has done so with an average of two successful dribbles per 90 minutes, according to WyScout.
The striker has also achieved 5.8 touches in the opposition penalty area as well as winning 81% of his recoveries in the opposition half.
That last attribute shows he covers a lot of ground and could prove particularly effective against a Hibs side that may feel fatigued after the weekend.
Itten could prove handy when the Gers are out of possession and therefore provide us with a constant threat, similarly to how Morelos performs.
As such, it should not take much for his teammates to adjust to his style.
We have important games coming up, particuarly in the Europa League, so it is important to give players like Itten minutes in order to keep them sharp.
It is very possible we will call upon our back-up options to break down Antwerp and similar opponents, and Gerrard must start preparing for such a scenario now.
In other Rangers news, ‘He is one we are pushing’ – Gerrard wowed about future of Gers 22y/o amid Auchenhowie reveal.