Clement has new Rangers conundrum as ‘problem’ mooted ahead of Celtic clash
Philippe Clement faces a fresh “conundrum” over James Tavernier before Rangers face Celtic on Sunday, Neil Lennon has said.
The Old Firm rivals are set to lock horns at Hampden Park on 15 December, with the Scottish League Cup on the line, and it remains to be seen if the club’s captain will start the game.
Tavernier has scored in back-to-back Scottish Premiership fixtures, but with the right-back likely coming up against Daizen Maeda, fans are already beginning to worry about the battle on the right flank.
Speaking via The Warm-Up on YouTube [12 December], Lennon said: “It’s a conundrum for him [Clement]. There’s no doubt that Tavernier has struggled against Maeda”
Alan Hutton said: Maeda is a problem,” as Lennon continues: “Maybe they need to overload the right-hand side, maybe give him another midfielder to add cover.”
James Tavernier to start Scottish League Cup final in Celtic v Rangers?
The majority of supporters are praying for Dujon Sterling to be fit enough to feature from the start, with Neraysho Kasanwirjo likely sidelined until the end of the season [Daily Record].
If Sterling is unavailable for the trip to Hampden Park, Clement will be left with no other option to start Tavernier and that could end very badly for the travelling fans.
While the 33-year-old has hit a new wave of form, he is often caused trouble by the Hoops’ Maeda, who will be licking his lips at the prospect of them going head-to-head once again.
The Japanese international has three goals and four assists in 16 appearances, being on the winning side in 11 of those games, and it could be a similar story on Sunday afternoon.
With two goals and four assists in the Scottish Premiership, it would be a difficult decision to take his attacking output from the team, but it may benefit the Gers in the long run.
In other Rangers news, Paul Lambert responded to Alan Brazil’s warning after what he said about Rangers v Celtic, “I don’t care”.
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