Steven Gerrard is one of British football’s most savvy media performers, he chooses his words carefully and very rarely – if ever – says something if he doesn’t mean it.
Now, this isn’t a comparison to Neil Lennon’s bizarre rant earlier in the week, but whether or not the only player that received praise after the 1-1 draw with Motherwell is about to have more of an impact in the coming weeks.
Cedric Itten’s influence was singled out by the gaffer after coming off the bench to good effect against Graham Alexander’s side, scoring the equalising goal to make it an average of one every 19 minutes against them.
Vital Rangers has already taken a closer look at the numbers behind the Swiss international’s first season at Ibrox and although he hasn’t had a lot of game time from the start, there is nothing to suggest that he doesn’t deserve to be ousting those who are underperforming.
Despite making his name – and being signed – as a number nine, Itten, with five goals to his name, has frequently been deployed as a right-sided attacker, this doesn’t mean that he is stuck out on the wing and, as shown by his goal at the weekend, having a player of his ability at the back post could prove useful – especially with a player likely Borna Barisic firing balls into the box.
The biggest question is “who misses out”?
Ianis Hagi is the obvious choice given that he is currently occupying where Itten is usually deployed, however, there is no reason why the Romanian international can’t play in a deeper role and Joe Aribo or Glen Kamara sits out – depending on the opposition.
Does Itten deserve to start?
Yes
No
Ryan Kent isn’t enjoying his best run of form but he still offers a threat and creates space for others, his performance against Aberdeen typifying why he should be afforded the chance to play through his “slump”, if you can call it that.
Gerrard is right, Itten deserves to start, this is the whole point of having a good squad, when players are underperforming, others should be given a chance and having an extra goalscorer in the front three could prove to be the difference in the home stretch.