Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers handed ex-Chicago Fire ace Matt Polster a two-year contract in January but he’s struggled for chances under Gerrard.
If Rangers fans thought that Matt Polster was little more than a back-up right-back, his performances for Graeme Murty’s reserves suggest that there’s a few more strings to the American’s bow.
The one-time USA international has made just a pair of first-team appearances in 2019/20. Both of those came on the right-hand side of Steven Gerrard’s four-man backline.
And, as Lee Hodson will tell you, being a second choice right-back at Rangers is a lonely existence. James Tavernier, club captain, assist king and set-piece specialist, remains pretty much the first name on the team-sheet and Polster is arguably behind Jon Flanagan in the pecking order too.
The former Chicago Fire man hasn’t been included in the matchday squad for any of Rangers’ eight Scottish Premiership games so far this season – a worrying trend which raises questions about his importance at Ibrox.
But there’s more to Polster than meets the eye. He wears number ten rather than number two for Rangers’ reserves and, while he may not be an elusive enganche, Wisconsin’s answer to Juan Roman Riquelme, Polster is more than comfortable in a central midfield position.
In fact, the 26-year-old was even a regular in the engine room during his time in the MLS. It was only the arrival of Bayern Munich and Germany legend Bastian Schweinsteiger that forced Polster into a new-look right-back role during his final few months at Chicago Fire.
So if Gerrard ever needs an extra midfielder, perhaps someone to fill in if Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara or Scott Arfield are unavailable, don’t be surprised to see Polster be given a chance in a rather surprising role.
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