While the signing of Aaron Ramsey provoked utter delight among the Rangers fanbase on deadline day, it was met with immediate frustration that he would not face Celtic. But were Rangers too cautious with him?
Ramsey, 31, has played just 112 minutes of football this season for Juventus – spread across five appearances. It is not much game time, but Ramsey has made four starts in Wales’ last four games – having a hand in four goals.
So, while he does lack match fitness due to his lack of action at Juventus – he has shown natural fitness and still has the ability to change games in a Wales shirt. Gio van Bronckhorst ruled him out on Wednesday.
But given he has shown, for Wales, that he can still come in and have an impact – surely Rangers were too cautious? Even having him on the bench would have made an impact, purely having him in the squad.
Was Ramsey caution a Rangers mistake against Celtic?
In the dressing room and seeing a player like Ramsey across from you would have given the Gers side a lift. His leadership would have helped get the rest of the Rangers squad ready for the challenge they were set to face.
His aura would have galvanised fans and then of course, had he come off the bench for the last third of the match – it would have massively improved the quality Rangers had in the midfield. Instead, Celtic dominated.
Reo Hatate ran riot, while Callum McGregor dictated the midfield. Rangers needed a spark and Ramsey was that spark – but not even including him on the bench, despite his Wales form this season, was surely a mistake.
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