Ewan Murray hits out at something he spotted on Rangers v Aberdeen team sheet
Ewan Murray has hit out at the lack of Scottish starters for Sunday’s (17 December) Viaplay Cup final between Rangers and Aberdeen.
Rangers did not name any Scottish players in their XI for the contest at Hampden Park, while Nicky Devlin and Graeme Shinnie made up the Dons’ home contingent.
However, a further four Scottish players were named among the substitutes for both sides, while Aberdeen manager Barry Robson is also Scottish.
The Guardian’s Murray took to Twitter prior to the final to post [17 December]: “Two Scots out of 22 in League Cup final teams. Not good.”
Multiple nations represented
Having a Rangers squad packed full of homegrown talent would of course be very much welcome, but that is not going to be the case any time soon.
Philippe Clement will simply choose the best players available to him, and on this occasion that does not include any Scotsmen.
This current squad has a strong English core to it, while there are other British talents in Ross McCausland (Northern Ireland) and Rabbi Matondo (Wales).
In many ways it is a very multi-national group, and ultimately all that matters is that they are successful as one.
Scottish players or not, the Gers enter the final with Aberdeen as favourites and they need to live up to that tag.
Only over the longer term can Clement then look to integrate some younger Scottish talents into the squad, but that will not come at the expense of success here and now.
In other Rangers news, a Gers player who only signed a new deal last year is reportedly wanted by a club abroad.