The Daily Record reports that Rangers gaffer, Steven Gerrard, faces a dilemma ahead of their trip to Rugby Park for their second game on artificial turf in a week, who to pick for penalty duties following Scott Arfield having his attempt saved against Hamilton at the weekend.
Arfield became the third Gers player to miss a penalty which brings the total for the season to five with James Tavernier and (more costly) Alfredo Morelos both failing to score from the spot.
Gerrard said of Arfield’s attempt that was saved by Luke Southwood in the Accies goal:
“I don’t know if Scott’s on penalties after that one – I liked his follow-in, though.”
“We’re still searching for this person to come forward and become our regular taker.”
“On the evidence so far, I might have to go back to James. We’ll make that decision in due course.”
Tavernier was taken off penalty duties after missing three in a short period of time when he was also suffering from a drop in form but he now appears to have rediscovered his spark and – as Gerrard implies – could well be handed the responsibility once again, although there is one candidate that may have something to say about that.
New recruit Ianis Hagi is also a set-piece specialist and has already scored two penalties in one fixture this season, one with either foot, and could well be the man to assume the mantle given his obvious confidence in his own abilities.
Who should take the next Rangers penalty?
Ianis Hagi
James Tavernier
Scott Arfield
Alfredo Morelos
Rangers fans will be hoping that they don’t need to rely on referee decisions to get them over the line against Kilmarnock as they look to keep the pressure up on Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership and close the gap on their city rivals, however, given a choice between the two, the player with three misses on his record is unlikely to be at the top of their list for potential takers.