Former Rangers star Lee McCulloch believes we’ll see Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis in action against Cowdenbeath this evening.
The new signings had to settle for substitute appearances at the weekend after being dropped for the visit to Livingston but could be unleashed tonight against the Scottish League Two side.
McCulloch believes it’s vital that the duo get minutes in their legs in competitive action if they are to be effective in the second half of the season.
Steven Gerrard will see it as a chance to rotate the team a wee bit and you could rest someone like Alfredo Morelos and bring Jermain Defoe back into the starting line-up.
Defoe and Steven Davis both need match minutes right now because they haven’t had a lot of game time this season and this is a good opportunity for them, and some of the fringe players.
You can do all the training in the world, but to get that match fitness you need to be playing games regularly and getting 90 minutes under your belt. It will help Defoe and Davis in terms of their sharpness if they can get a good run-out against Cowdenbeath.
It would certainly make sense for Gerrard to turn to alternatives this evening given it should be a routine cup win.
Defoe and Davis have more than enough quality to see off the home side and get 90 minutes under their belt to help them compete for places in the team when league action rolls around again this weekend.
While we can’t be complacent, we must use the match smartly and hopefully Gerrard has the same idea as McCulloch and most supporters.
The winner of tonight’s tie will face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in the next round. Can we put ourselves on the road to Hampden with a solid win in Fife?