James Tavernier injury: How Steven Gerrard could cover the Rangers captain's absence
With usual deputy Nathan Patterson unavailable after being caught up in a breach of covid-19 protocols, the Rangers manager has spoken of the possibility of making an emergency move for a replacement – if the injury to the club captain turns out to be significant.
Gerrard and sporting director Ross Wilson have frequently utilised their knowledge of the game at various levels to pull surprise signings out of the hat and they could be on the look-out for another uncut gem on a free – even in the short-term. Given their shared knowledge of the English game, who could bet against another unlikely free transfer success story Leon Balogun or Scott Arfield, but their work is cut out with the transfer window closed.
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Hide AdIn the meantime Balogun, a summer signing from Wigan, has stepped into the right-back berth and performed admirably out of position in the dramatic win over the second-placed Belgian side.
Gerrard says he is happy to continue with the Nigerian international for now while Tavernier is assessed but, with Patterson’s availability unknown, here are some options – some more likely than others – the manager could consider to cover any injury impact on his key man.
Transfers
Cuco Martina – A rudimentary search for out of contract right-backs online draws up the Dutch-born defender who left Everton last summer. Experience through English and Dutch football including time at Stoke City – and co-incidentally Southampton when Wilson was at St Mary’s – his lack of game-time would be a concern and he would take time to get up to speed after so long out of the game.
Given how important understanding the fundamentals of Rangers’ playing style is to the manager, and the stage of the season – a move for this out of contract option seems pretty unlikely.
Rafinha – This would be a throwback to the sort of transfer coups that saw short-term deals for Frank de Boer and Ugo Ehiogu – big-name established players drafted in for cover. At 35, the former Bayern Munich Brazilian would only be a short-term measure, but then, that’s all that’s needed to see the Light Blues through to the end of the season and summer transfer window. European experience in spades and still fresh having been at Olympiakos until last month and involved as recently as January 27 in a win over PAOK Salonika.
Doesn’t really fit the club’s transfer model and a deal would likely need some cash thrown at it – but maybe it could be worth it if Europa League success is a factor.
Ryan Shawcross - Right-footed, defensive and free. The defensive midfielder has the blessing to move on from Stoke from boss Michael O’Neill and not featured since early January. Would be more strengthening signing to cover Balogun at centre-half and allow him to continue on the right-side. His midfield capabilities are well known in the English Premiership and he could perhaps fill the back-up role of Bongani Zungu too after his Stoke departure was confirmed.
However he appears to have a move already lined up in MLS – but depending on his contract release situation could he be persuaded to win a medal over a month or two in Glasgow under his one-time England team-mate Gerrard before moving to Inter Miami?
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Alan Hutton – What’s the opposite of out of sight, out of mind? The flying full-back moved on from Ibrox 13 years ago last month for £9m and just when Rangers look short in his position he pops up on BT Sport as a pundit. The sentimental option, he retired from football precisely a year ago today and hasn’t played in almost two years so there’s little chance – but nostalgia dictates his inclusion. We did say there would be some unlikely shouts here too.
Squad shuffle
Leon Balogun – Slotted in admirably against Royal Antwerp and has played the position before. Looks to be Steven Gerrard’s preferred option unless a new recruit is brought in, but that may leave him short on centre-backs.
Ryan Jack – Has played the position for Scotland most recently under Steve Clarke and previously at Aberdeen. Defensively sound and combative for the run-in but has been adding attacking elements to his game recently. Gerrard is also wary of over-loading him in terms of minutes after his two-month injury lay-off.
Glen Kamara – Another who can play at right-back. Has the engine but perhaps not the out-and-out blistering pace and sacrificing his midfield technical expertise is maybe a step too far with alternative options available.
Blood the youngsters
Leon King – The 16-year-old made his first team debut against Falkirk in the Betfred Cup late last year and stepped in at right-back with an international call-up rendering Patterson unavailable then. More natural at centre-back the youngster has been in and around the first-team at various times and Gerrard said he would be keeping a close eye on his progress. Perhaps too early but an opportunity to be the standby deputy if required, perhaps?
James Maxwell – Another youngster still in his teens, Maxwell has been farmed out to Queen of the South on loan for matchday minutes and is picking up vital experience in the SPFL Championship. Predominantly left-sided, he is a full-back by trade and hopes were high for the youngster when he broke through the youth Academy ranks at Falkirk. With some first-team experience could step in if recalled again as a standby alternative if the injury issues worsen.