Oliver Antman worry may lead to Russell Martin experiment in Rangers starting XI vs Hearts
Russell Martin has every reason to worry as Rangers face Hearts in the William Hill Premiership on Saturday.
Ibrox will host Derek McInnes’ team on 13 September, with the Gers manager under pressure to get his first league win after four consecutive draws.
Martin will be incentivised to beat Hearts, as dropping points could potentially lead to fan unrest and mutiny in G51.
The Scottish head coach will want to pick his best eleven to face the Jambos, and considering Oliver Antman’s performance for Finland against Poland in the 3-1 World Cup Qualifiers loss could potentially keep him on the bench at Ibrox.
Oliver Antman to be replaced by Thelo Aasgaard in Rangers starting lineup vs Hearts
Antman hasn’t started for the Gers since being taken off at half-time against St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium on 24 August.
The attacker was on the bench as the Light Blues lost 6-0 to Club Brugge in the second leg of the Champions League play-off at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
In the Old Firm derby at Ibrox, Mikey Moore was preferred over the 24-year-old Finland forward, but he did come on to play 18 minutes of the 0-0 draw.
Martin has struggled to find a decent attacking partnership at the Glaswegian outfit this season, and it may be time for him to experiment with the likes of Thelo Aasgaard up front.
Read More: Alex McLeish absolutely wrong about Martin sack despite ‘boring’ claim
Thelo Aasgaard deserves starting spot vs Hearts
Aasgaard scored a hat-trick for Norway against Moldova on 9 September in an emphatic 11-1 victory at the Ullevaal Stadion.
The 23-year-old hasn’t had the best start to life at the Light Blues, but will undoubtedly be coming back in high spirits after his heroics during the international break.
In the attacking-midfielder’s 26-minute cameo against Moldova, he played on the left and often found himself inside the box.
- The Gers signed Aasgaard for £3.5million last summer.
- The playmaker missed the start of the season due to fitness issues.
- This season, the midfielder has made five appearances for the Light Blues in all competitions.
Rangers should play in-form players like Aasgaard against Hearts, and there may be a place for him on the left-wing.
Djeidi Gassama has played on the right side of the attack under Martin at times, while Bojan Miovski should be the first choice number nine at Ibrox on the weekend due to his experience in the Scottish top flight.
Whether Martin will be bold enough to change his style of play and system to incorporate the best players in the starting lineup remains to be seen.
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