Ibrox club Rangers face bitter enemies Celtic on Saturday at Parkhead.
Rangers manager Graeme Murty’s chopping and changing in central midfield seemed to do the trick against Motherwell, and he could be forced into another alteration ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash against Celtic.
Ryan Jack suffered an injury against Motherwell on Wednesday night during the 2-0 win, as Danny Wilson and Alfredo Morelos’s second-half goals proved enough for the Light Blues to exact revenge on Stephen Robinson’s side.
Murty is confident of the one-time Scotland international’s return, but even with Jack retaining his starting spot, surely teenager Jamie Barjonas has done enough to face Celtic from the off?
The 18-year-old came on for Jack in the 41st minute, and starred by playing a hugely important part in the Gers’ second-half display that ultimately earned them all three points.
Cushioning an inch-perfect pass into Bruno Alves, Rangers scored their first goal as Barjonas delicately played a looping ball forward to the Portuguese defender who in turn laid off Wilson. His superb left-footed effort found the top corner.
His introduction gave the Gers the key they needed to unlock the Well defence by connecting the midfield and attack, giving Murty’s side a much more fluid look about them. Something which veteran Niko Kranjcar could not do.
The Croatia international who was signed by Mark Warburton in the summer of 2016 struggled to impress at Ibrox, and was eventually substituted late on with Carlos Pena coming off the bench after a largely ineffectual display that can be described as one word – rusty.
The Gers need players playing at the top of their game if they are to beat Celtic, and Barjonas is certainly an example of that. Starting him in a midfield diamond with Jack, Jason Holt and Ross McCrorie will give the Gers their best chance.
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