Rangers’ Declan John may get opportunity he’s been waiting for against Celtic

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Cardiff City loanee Declan John could start in place of injured Rangers skipper Lee Wallace in the Old Firm clash with Celtic on Saturday.

It looks like Declan John is about to be thrown into the deep end at Rangers. Captain Lee Wallace is facing two months on the sidelines with a groin injury, as reported by the Evening Times, meaning the Cardiff City loanee could make his first start for the club in Saturday’s Old Firm derby against Celtic.

John, who replaced Wallace just 12 minutes into Friday’s clash at Partick Thistle, may already be facing the toughest test of his short Rangers career. Celtic battered The Gers 5-1 at Ibrox in the last league meeting at April and the 22-year-old is likely to square up to James Forrest, the electric Hoops winger who has four goals in his last two games.

However, John, who the Evening Times claims could be passed fit to start after limping off in the Betfred cup clash with Partick Thistle in midweek, moved to Ibrox for further first-team opportunities and he could be getting what he wished for earlier than expected.

The two-time Wales international admitted earlier in the month, via the club’s official Twitter account, that the prospect of more game-time was the main factor behind his reason for swapping the English Championship for the Scottish Prem.

John barely featured at Cardiff once they appointed Neil Warnock on October of last year, featuring only seven times until the end of the season. However, he has the trust of Caixinha and, in a World Cup year, regular minutes are essential if John wants to catch the eye of Wales manager Chris Coleman.

Seizing his chance against the Champions on Saturday wouldn’t be a bad place to start.