Adam Devine could start for Rangers v Sparta Prague as Borna Barisic and Dujon Sterling injury news drops
Rangers could be set to hand Adam Devine his first appearance of the season against Sparta Prague to help cure their “huge” left-back issues, say Football Scotland.
Writing on their official website (25 October), the Scottish news outlet report that both Borna Barisic and Dujon Sterling are set to be left in Glasgow for the Europa League clash due to injuries.
With Ridvan Yilmaz ineligible after being left out of the squad by Michael Beale, Philippe Clement now has no first-team options for left-back for the game in Prague and that could open the door for Devine to step in.
“It’s a huge worry for Philippe Clement who now has no recognised left-back available for the game with Ridvan Yilmaz not included in the squad by previous boss Michael Beale,” they wrote.
“Dujon Sterling was also absent from Saturday’s squad but could be an option if he is fit, although he also didn’t play in the B team game on Sunday when other members of the first team squad did.
“Other options are Ben Davies who is a natural centre back while youngster Adam Devine could be drafted in for his first game of the season.”
Opportunity
This is why you have a squad of players and why you have an academy, so that when crisis strikes you have alternatives.
Obviously this is a huge game for Clement and Rangers and relying on a youth prospect isn’t going to be ideal, but having someone who knows the position well will only be a good thing and will surely help the team more than using someone like Ben Davies there just because he is left-footed.
It makes the decision from Beale to leave Yilmaz out of the squad even more baffling since the club spent big money on him, and while he tried to justify it with Yilmaz’s injury record it hasn’t worked out well.
Clement now needs to find a solution for his issues, and it could potentially be a switch of systems to move a more offensive player into the role but give him a bit less responsibility.
If Devine does get the call then you can be sure that he’ll be ready and raring to go, and fans will be backing him all the way because he is one of our own.
In other Rangers news, big decision for Clement in predicted XI v Sparta Prague.