Pundit demands Philippe Clement ignores Rangers doctors for Scottish Cup final v Celtic
Kris Boyd has demanded that Philippe Clement ignore his medical team when selecting his Rangers starting lineup to face Celtic at Hampden.
The Old Firm duo will meet in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday 25 May, with both teams looking to complete a domestic doule after Gers won the League Cup and the Hoops secured the league title.
Clement has an “injury crisis” at Ibrox at the moment with several players named as doubts or ruled out entirely, but writing in his column for The Scottish Sun (25 May) Boyd claimed that anyone who is a risk should play anyway if they would play when 100% fit.
“Rangers need to be brave with their team selection tomorrow and that also goes for those battling to be fit,” he said.
“Sports scientists play a big role in modern football, but Clement can’t afford to pick his team based on what he’s being told by them.
“Call me old-fashioned, but some players will have to put their bodies on the line. If the likes of Ridvan Yilmaz, Abdallah Sima and Leon Balogun are fit enough for the bench, then they are fit enough to start.
“Any talk of ‘They can only play 30 or 45 minutes’ should be ignored by the Rangers manager. This is a cup final. Players should be busting a gut to play. Risks will have to be taken.”
Should Rangers take risks with starting lineup v Celtic?
It’s the final game of the season for Clement and his Rangers team, and that means there is nothing else to plan for right now.
Some players may be thinking about the European Championships this summer too, but if their full attention and focus isn’t on Hampden Park then they’re at the wrong club currently.
So if the players are available to feature then they should most definitely be considered, but the big question is more about whether that would help or hinder the team on the day.
Celtic will be coming into the game full of confidence and know that they can defeat Rangers, as they have done three times already this season. If players in blue are not fully confident in their health it could effect their performances.
It will be interesting to see how Clement approaches the game with his lineup, but he needs a fast start and to score the first goal to stand a chance of lifting another trophy.
In other Rangers news, the club have offered a three-year deal to a potential new signing with a double exit mooted by Chris Jack.
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