Now could be the time for Steven Gerrard to hand Gareth McAuley his Rangers debut, with Nikola Katic injured and a hectic schedule coming up.
The likes of Lassana Coulibaly, Ryan Kent and Connor Goldson have made a massive impact since they moved to Rangers in the summer. But, thanks in part due to a niggling injury, Gareth McAuley has not yet made his mark.
The 38-year-old centre-back moved to Rangers in September after being released by West Bromwich Albion.
But McAuley is yet to make his debut for Steven Gerrard’s side and was omitted from the current Northern Ireland squad, with manager Michael O’Neill telling the Daily Record that he needs to get back to full fitness over the international break.
Could the 79-capped veteran finally appear for Rangers once the club season returns? Nikola Katic is struggling with fitness problems of his own, being forced to withdraw from the Croatia U21 squad this week.
With Katic’s fitness in doubt before Rangers’ trip to Hamilton next weekend, perhaps Gerrard should take this opportunity to give McAuley a chance to impress if he is ready to feature.
Rangers have a series of tough Europa League fixtures coming up, particularly against Spartak Moscow later this month, so now could be the time to bring in McAuley with a daunting fixture schedule on the horizon.
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