Rangers ‘issue’ shared from Auchenhowie live on Sky Sports ahead of Dynamo Kyiv tie
Rangers manager Philippe Clement faces an “issue” over who to start in defence against Dynamo Kyiv, according to Mark Benstead.
Speaking on Sky Sports News (12 August, 11:28am), the reporter said live from the Gers’ Auchenhowie training ground that Clement faces a challenge on the number of minutes he can give to certain players.
Benstead highlighted Leon Balogun’s “poor” cameo off the bench against Motherwell after replacing debutant Robin Propper, and Clement’s dependency on Cyriel Dessers for goals up front.
He said: “The challenge for Clement now is how many minutes he can get out of certain players due to being at different stages of their conditioning.
“Leon Balogun came on for Propper in the last game and didn’t play well – that’s an issue Clement needs to weigh up.
“Dessers scored again and got a crucial goal in Poland last week. He has his critics but his goal-return rate is pretty good. It’s a hugely important game for Rangers.”
Philippe Clement has to gets Dynamo Kyiv selection right
The size of the Gers’ upcoming Champions League third-round qualifier on 13 August cannot be overstated, and having made it 1-1 in the first leg thanks to Dessers’ last-gasp goal, it’s all to play for.
A £4million windfall is due instantly if the Light Blues get past Dynamo at Hampden Park [Scottish Daily Mail, 12 August], with £40m to follow if they beat RB Salzburg or FC Twente in the play-off round to reach the group stages.
A recent arrival from Twente, centre-back Propper will be hoping he his first European start goes better than his first in the Premiership, after he conceded an own goal in the first half against Motherwell.
Who partners the 30-year-old Dutchman in defence is inarguably the biggest question Clement has to face before kick-off, particularly following his underwhelming cameo last time out.
With Ben Davies unlikely to feature after a woeful showing on the opening day, it looks to be a choice of Balogun or John Souttar to face Dynamo – a choice which Clement cannot afford to get wrong.
In other Rangers news, Jim White asked what the Gers need to do this season to prevent Celtic winning another Premiership title.
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