Philippe Clement tipped to axe Ross McCausland for Rangers v Celtic amid Abdallah Sima update
Rangers manager Philippe Clement will start Abdallah Sima in place of Ross McCausland for the Old Firm clash with Celtic, according to Barry Ferguson.
The Light Blues face their Glasgow rivals in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on Saturday (25 May) as Clement looks to beat the Hoops for the first time and secure a domestic double.
While young winger McCausland impressed in the Gers’ 3-3 draw with Hearts last time out, Go Radio pundit Ferguson believes the Rangers boss will axe the 21-year-old in favour of Sima and Todd Cantwell.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show (20 May, 1:23:40) he said: “Depending on Sima, you need to see how he is after the game and whether there was any reaction from the hamstring injury.
“If Sima is fit and ready to go, I think you’ve got to play Sima. If everybody is fit I think it will be Sima on the left and Todd Cantwell on the right, with Dessers through the middle.
“If Ross McCausland has to come in on the left I would have no issue with that because young Ross has certainly made an impact over the last couple of games.”
Will Ross McCausland start for Rangers in Old Firm clash with Celtic at Parkhead?
Sima has been excellent when he has been fit at Ibrox, but it seems unlikely he will be a Gers player when next season rolls around and that means that the Light Blues have to already have one eye on the future.
Clement needs to win this Old Firm clash. His record so far against his Glasgow rivals has been nothing short of dreadful and the longer he goes without a victory, the more the pressure will build on him in the coming months.
Because of that, the Belgian has to pick his strongest side for Saturday’s clash and at this moment in time, it is impossible to see how that doesn’t include McCasuland who has been excellent when called upon.
Whoever starts for the Light Blues at Hampden, Rangers simply just have to find a way to claim all three points. To end a disappointing campaign with a double would be a massive relief for everyone at Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, the Gers are expected to complete another centre-back signing after Jose Cordoba this summer
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