Kenny Miller names Nicolas Raskin, Todd Cantwell and James Tavernier as three Rangers players who would start for Celtic
BBC pundit Kenny Miller believes Nicolas Raskin, Todd Cantwell and James Tavernier would be immediate starters in Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic team.
Michael Beale has impressively revamped his squad this summer with seven new additions after ending last campaign trophyless as their Old Firm rivals steamrolled them to a fifth Treble in seven years.
Asked by a fan on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard [via Football Scotland, 26 July] which Rangers players would start for Celtic, former Gers striker Miller named Raskin, Cantwell and Tavernier as the three key Beale players for next season.
He said:
“At this moment in time because there is so much uncertainty in relation to the signings that Rangers have made, Tavernier goes in.
“I think Raskin goes in alongside Callum McGregor. I think there’s definitely a case for Cantwell after the way he finished the season. I think one of them (Matt O’Riley or Reo Hatate) misses out.
“You could maybe have Cantwell playing off the side, but I think Cantwell and Raskin would definitely get in the team.”
Vital components
Rangers have been massively impressive in the transfer window so far, completing seven stunning deals and there could well be a couple more walking through the Ibrox doors.
The Gers are set to continue their major revamp with the likes of Danilo and Jose Cifuentes set to become their eighth and ninth signings with just two weeks of pre-season just completed.
While the Gers will be given a whole new look once the season kicks off in under two weeks, Beale will still be reliant on some of his core stars to set the tone for the new faces and Miller is absolutely spot on with his assessment.
Cantwell, Raskin and Tavernier are definitely three of Beale’s best and most vital components right now, especially after the departures of the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent.
All three players possess the quality, character and mentality to ensure the Gers are well on course to not only match Rodgers’ Celtic next season but also potentially beat them to the Scottish Premiership trophy and how the former Leicester City boss would indeed love to have those three in his Parkhead camp right now.
Beale will certainly be looking at his new and improved squad with unbridled joy right now.
In other Rangers news, the club are set for a healthy 15% windfall from an impending Manchester City academy sale this summer.