Rangers beat Ayr United 4-0 at Ibrox on Wednesday night.
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has told the Daily Record that he thinks Umar Sadiq needs to ‘improve an awful lot’ to break into the Gers side.
The Gers were in Scottish League Cup action on Wednesday night as they took on Ayr United at Ibrox, with a place in the semi-finals of the competition up for grabs.
Gerrard’s men were imperious once again, as first half goals from Nikola Katic and Glenn Middleton had Rangers 2-0 up by half time against the Scottish Championship outfit.
Alfredo Morelos continued his fine form with another goal after the break, and teenage winger Middleton added his second to wrap up a 4-0 victory.
Rangers advance into the semi-finals to face Aberdeen, but will have to do it without striker Morelos, as he picked up a booking and will now be suspended for that trip to Hampden Park.
With Kyle Lafferty cup-tied having already played in the competition for Hearts, that leaves Rangers struggling for a striker, with boss Gerrard critical of Umar Sadiq after the final whistle.
The summer signing from Roma has barely featured since his loan move, and Gerrard told the Daily Record that he will have to find a way to play a striker against Aberdeen unless Sadiq ‘improves an awful lot’ before the game, suggesting the Nigerian is badly struggling at Ibrox.
“It’s a frustration – we lose a player in form and we are going to have to find a way to get the job done without a natural no.9 unless Sadiq comes to the party and improves an awful lot between now and then,” said Gerrard.
Rangers fans have taken to Twitter to air their concerns about Sadiq after he wasn’t even named in the squad against Ayr, with many already giving up and believing that he may well be sent back to Roma as soon as possible, whilst even suggesting that he could be this season’s equivalent to Dalcio as he continues to struggle.
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