Kris Commons compares Rangers’ Jason Cummings to Moussa Dembele

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Glasgow Rangers striker Jason Cummings did his chances of keeping his place for this week’s game at Ibrox no harm.

Kris Commons has told Sky Sports’ live post-match coverage of Rangers’ Scottish Cup tie against Falkirk (broadcast on 4th March 2018 from 16:00) that Jason Cummings is a similar sort of player to Moussa Dembele, but predicted that the Gers’ hat-trick hero will not start against Celtic this weekend.

It has been a mixed start to Cummings’ loan spell. His arrival appeared to be the signing that captured the fans’ imagination the most, but he has often been used as a back-up to Alfredo Morelos since joining.

With Jamie Murphy out injured for Sunday, he got the chance to start against the Championship side in the cup, and he certainly made the most of the opportunity as he scored three goals to set up a semi-final with the Hoops and stake his claim for a place in this weekend’s Old Firm game.

And while Commons suggested that Cummings has certainly given Murty something to think about, he predicted that he will not be in the starting lineup against their bitter rivals – while he also drew comparisons between the 22-year-old and Dembele.

“He’s not been a regular starter and I think Graeme mentioned that. He’s been lacking in the minutes. The more football Jason plays, similar to Moussa Dembele, when he plays football on a regular basis, he gets that instinctive striker’s role,” he told Sky Sports.

“He knows where the back of the net is, I think his goal today, the tidy, little finish, that’s just instinctive, that’s all about a player who knows where the back of the net is, it’s confidence. For me personally, I don’t think Jason will play. I don’t think he will start. I think they’ll be players coming back into the team, but he’s certainly put himself in the frame.”

The problem Cummings faces is that he replaced Murphy, who has been sensational for Rangers in recent weeks and will surely have to start against the Hoops if he is fit.

Whether that leaves someone like Daniel Candeias vulnerable remains to be seen, but he is the league’s most prolific provider of assists, while Alfredo Morelos – who endured a hugely frustrating afternoon against Falkirk – is the division’s top scorer so leaving him out will also be a huge gamble.