Derek Clark tips Philippe Clement to make six changes for ‘bare bones’ Rangers v Motherwell
Derek Clark has tipped Philippe Clement to make six changes to his starting XI against Motherwell on Christmas Eve (24 December), with Rangers down to the “bare bones”.
Clement made five alterations for the midweek 2-0 victory over St Johnstone, but Clark expects only Kieran Dowell to keep his places from the players who came in.
Writing for the Rangers Review, Clark commented that at the back he expects Leon Balogun and Borna Barisic to come back, and predicted Dujon Sterling to come back into central midfield for the injured John Lundstram.
Kemar Roofe is also injured again so he thinks Cyriel Dessers – who scored against St Johnstone – is the only viable option up front.
He also expects Ross McCausland to get a breather and plumped for Scott Wright to take his place on the right wing.
Team almost picks itself
Rangers are enduring an injury crisis at the worst possible time ahead of the busy festive period and Lundstram and Roofe being on the treatment table following the St Johnstone game is the last thing Clement needed.
But, this is the situation we are in, and you will not see Clement hosting any pity parties over Christmas, the Belgian will knuckle down and get on with the job and that attitude is what he will need from this players over the next couple of weeks.
As Clark himself said, the team almost picks itself right now due to the lack of options. Sterling has performed excellently in midfield and he will surely come back into the engine room.
And up top, well, there really is no other option right now (especially if Abdallah Sima will be retained on the left). Roofe’s fitness issues have reared their head again and Danilo is out for the long term, so let’s hope Dessers – who has four goals in his last six games – can continue his good form.
In other Rangers news, Scott Wright gave an honest assessment on Michael Beale after a “mad” time this summer.