The FIFA World Cup has provided some distraction from the absence of domestic football, a tournament that has already seen more than a few upsets and moments of individual brilliance – Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe living up to their stellar reputations to light up the greatest show on earth.
For those that aren’t as drawn to international football, the Rangers B team has still be in action with Zak Lovelace and Robbie Ure, in particular, doing their chances of a more regular place in first-team training no harm at all with recent performances.
There has also been a welcome return for someone who could well find himself accelerated up the ranks given the current problems Michael Beale is faced with at senior level.
With Ridvan Yilmaz still out injured and Borna Barisic now in line to play for Croatia for the rest of their time in Qatar, left-back is an area of definite concern with a game against Hibs just 10 days away.
Robbie Fraser would seem like the obvious choice given his status as B team captain, however, the return to health and fitness of Kevin Ciubotaru is a welcome sight and if he continues to leave defenders standing like he did against Bo’ness United, he could well find himself leap frogging an academy teammate.
Kevin Ciubotaru 🇷🇴 (LB, 2004) is back!
The #RangersFC LWB made his first start for the B team since his return from injury. Kevin had been absent for a long time after a back surgery. Great news.
Just a short clip to illustrate his technical ability:pic.twitter.com/tFBEjnTNkK
— Alex Scout (@AlexScoutRo) December 4, 2022
Kevin – those men had families.
Ciubotaru arrived at Rangers having had the same influence from the Kinetic Academy that Joe Aribo had as a youngster, and it shows.
B team David McCallum has spoken about the need to develop the Romanian youth cap’s defending but, when you can beat players like this, does it really matter?
Overcoming teams who put 11 players behind the ball needs individuals who can beat the first man and create chaos, when you have your own teammates clapping you during a game, you know you are doing something right and Ciubotaru is capable of exactly the type of excitement that new gaffer Beale wants his side to display.