Rangers hero Brian Laudrup gives out-of-position duo James Sands and Adam Devine opposing reviews
Michael Beale was right to drop James Sands because the on-loan Rangers man is “error-prone” in defence, according to Brian Laudrup.
The American arrived in Glasgow last January as a back-up midfielder but has been regularly pressed into action during the new campaign as a centre-back, and ex-Ibrox hero Laudrup doesn’t want to see him there.
After starting the previous three matches at the position Sands was replaced in the line up for the 1-0 win at Ross County on 23 December, with Ben Davies taking his place.
And while Laudrup isn’t a fan of playing the 22-year-old out of position due his propensity for error, he has praised teenage defender Adam Devine for impressing in a similar situation.
The right-back has started on the left for all three of the wins under new boss Beale so far, and has impressed with Borna Barisic at the World Cup and Ridvan Yilmaz injured.
Laudrup said in his Mail+ column on 26 December: “James Sands was left out against Ross County, which I think was the right decision.
“He’s been playing out of position but I don’t see Sands in defence. He’s definitely error-prone in that position.
“That said, Adam Devine has been playing out of position, too, on the left side and he’s done really, really well.”
Moving parts
Different players adapt better to different positions and the upheaval at centre-back this season hasn’t seen any options shine, especially while Connor Goldson was missing.
Beale has turned to Devine to address what has become quite a problem position on the left since Calvin Bassey departed in the summer, with the 19-year-old doubling his senior appearance tally for the club to six.
Until the January window opens the manager will have to continue to judge his squad on the fly, with games now coming thick and fast.
One way or another the Rangers boss has got the wins he needed so far but the biggest test will be the Old Firm derby on 2 January, where any wrong selections are much more likely to be punished.
Barisic in particular has been exposed in heavy defeats against Celtic since Beale left the club so there is every reason to believe that Devine will keep his place.
With World Cup disruption, injuries, and likely more new arrivals in January it is quite possible that the manager has to continue to change things for the rest of the season, but the sooner he is able to settle on a preferred line up the better.
In other Rangers news, the club’s official partner slammed the “boring” controversy between the Gers and the Hoops.