Glasgow Rangers forward Umar Sadiq is yet to start a game for the first-team since arriving at Ibrox on loan in the summer.
While Rangers fans have had an opportunity to assess most of Steven Gerrard’s signings from his first summer at Ibrox, there seemingly remains plenty of intrigue surrounding Umar Sadiq.
The forward joined on loan from Roma and has made a handful of substitute appearances for the Gers so far. He is still awaiting his first start for Gerrard’s men, with Alfredo Morelos holding down the role and Kyle Lafferty subsequently arriving and going straight into the manager’s plans.
It does appear that there is the potential for Sadiq’s loan to play out without the youngster ever getting the chance to prove that he can be a success at Ibrox. But perhaps, the international break could present the 21-year-old with the opportunity that he will desperately want.
Rangers face Dundee in their first game back following the break looking to put the disappointment of their defeat to Celtic behind them, and it would perhaps be a surprise if Morelos features for the Gers.
Morelos received his first call-up to the Colombian national team this month and made his debut for the senior side in their victory over Venezuela on Saturday.
With their second game of the break coming on Wednesday, it would probably be a surprise if Gerrard considered Morelos to be in contention to play against Dee on Saturday given the travelling that he will have done by the time he returns to Glasgow.
Lafferty will probably feel that Morelos’ involvement with Colombia will present him with a chance. It may well do, but with Northern Ireland’s friendly with Israel on Tuesday, it would not be a surprise if Gerrard was making potential plans just in case Sadiq had to get the nod to lead the line.
It would still be a surprise if Sadiq started Saturday’s clash, but he has got to believe that he now stands his best chance of making his full Rangers debut.
And given how long he has had to wait for it, he cannot afford to pass up the opportunity if it comes his way this weekend.
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