Rangers: Joshua Barrie shares 'very surprised' verdict on Fabio Silva role v Kilmarnock

Journalist Joshua Barrie says he'd be "very surprised" to see Fabio Silva named in the starting XI for Rangers' Scottish Premiership clash with Kilmarnock.

The young forward joined the ranks at Ibrox on loan for the second half of the season and will be available for selection for the showdown with Derek McInnes' side at Ibrox on Tuesday 2 January.

After Cyriel Dessers struggled to impact proceedings in the Old Firm derby, many supporters have called for Silva to be thrust straight into Philippe Clement's starting XI, but Barrie has admitted he can't see him playing ahead of the Nigerian.

Speaking on the Rangers Review Morning Briefing (31 December, 30:30) he said: "I don't think he'll start because he's just not played very many minutes and he only officially joins the club tomorrow to train with the team.

"So I would be very surprised, I think he'll be in the squad. Cyriel Dessers yesterday, that is the sliding doors moment of a Rangers striker, you know you finish that and you're an absolute hero."

Wait and see

Most Rangers supporters will be keen to see Silva in action sooner rather than later given Dessers' poor performance against Celtic in the Old Firm derby defeat, but they may just have to temper their expectations slightly heading into the clash with Kilmarnock.

The Portuguese forward has only played in eight league games this season, making only three starts across those fixtures with his last appearance coming all the way back in November in a nine-minute cameo against Sheffield United.

Assuming that the 21-year-old won't begin training with Clement's side until 1 January when his loan move becomes active, it would be an incredibly risky approach from the Rangers boss to throw him straight into the starting XI after only one day's preparation.

The Light Blues do desperately need a new number nine to hit the ground running and start scoring some goals to reignite the race at the top of the Scottish Premiership, but Silva is only young and the Gers cannot expect him to immediately arrive in Glasgow and solve all their problems.

In other Rangers news, one pundit has urged the Gers to sign Lawrence Shankland following their defeat to Celtic