Rangers duo left out of squad for Dundee clash as Kemar Roofe returns
Rangers welcome Dundee to Ibrox on Wednesday (19 October) in the League Cup and a strong squad has been named, according to the Daily Record.
First-team stars James Tavernier, Ryan Kent, Antonio Colak, John Lundstram and Malik Tillman have all been included in the group despite the likelihood of Giovanni van Bronckhorst rotating his team around.
But there are two obvious omissions that might raise an eyebrow or two in the shape of Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield – Rangers’ only goalscorer in the Champions League so far this season.
The Scottish and Canadian internationals have both been in and around the side all season long but the boss has seemingly opted to rest them both for future matches with Charlie McCann in the squad to cover for them.
One player who has returned to the squad is striker Kemar Roofe who is yet to play a minute for Rangers this season after suffering a long-term injury during the run in of 2021-22.
Raise the Roofe
Alfredo Morelos might be more likely to start against Dundee but just to have Roofe back in the mix will be a huge deal for van Bronckhorst and Rangers.
The Jamaican international has never been the ultimate goalscorer but nobody can ever fault his work ethic and effort when he plays for the Light Blues.
Arfield’s exclusion is a strange one considering he has been one of the real surprises of the season at Ibrox, being among the best performers on a consistent basis and coming up with crucial goal contributions too.
But McCann needs experience and to potentially have him play alongside fellow Northern Irishman Steven Davis will be something that the manager has identified he wants to do.
Even with a rotated side with the likes of Adam Devine and Ridvan Yilmaz potentially getting to start, Rangers should have more than enough to progress to the next round and keep their hopes of lifting the trophy alive.
In other Rangers news, one player who won’t be in the squad anytime soon is Ianis Hagi who has gone public with criticism of his own critics.