Aaron Ramsey has to start for Rangers against Celtic on Sunday – this is the time for the Welshman to make a serious impression.
The last deadline day will live long in the memory with a seemingly unbelievable move coming to fruition, a transfer from Juventus to Rangers in this day and age.
It certainly did happen but the reasons to allow such a move to materialise are due to the condition and injury fatigue suffered by Ramsey which has meant he has not been able to play consistently at the top level where his ability belongs.
If it wasn’t for those issues, a player of his calibre simply wouldn’t be at Ibrox at the present time.
However, we have the former Arsenal man and after coming through international week with positivity and additional game time, Sunday’s Old Firm showdown against Celtic is the perfect opportunity for Ramsey to be unleashed from the start.
It was a risk to make the move happen, but one that Rangers had to take. Similarly with the high stakes in play this weekend, it is time to roll the dice to see just what the return is.
Ramsey’s international boss Rob Page backed his player to shine, whilst scoffing at reports of an injury set-back, as featured by the Rangers Review:
“There was no injury. It was a no-brainer. What we have to do is show respect to the clubs as well.”
“We’ve got their players and Aaron is 30-plus years old now. I made that decision not to have him in the 23, we didn’t need to risk Aaron.”
“Let him go back to his club with full fitness and play in a wonderful game, the Old Firm derby on Sunday.”
Respect
The loan Ranger played in the World Cup playoff semi-final against Austria before sitting out the subsquent friendly against Czech Republic. That approach from Page is a refreshing one, made with common sense and respect to player and club.
Involvement in the back to back games away to Dundee recently has given the fans a taste of what can come from Aaron Ramsey, who is now more ready to make the impact that he craves. His equaliser late in the league game at Dens Park came because he was in the right place at the right time, he was contributing in attack and going through the gears.
At Ibrox on Sunday, the 31-year old has the perfect opportunity to hit full throttle.