Glasgow Rangers have an exciting young defender itching for more opportunities.
During Bruno Alves’ injury absence, Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha put his faith in teenager Ross McCrorie and saw that repaid in impressive fashion.
Some have asked if the summer signing should walk straight back into Rangers’ starting XI after the international break, but such has been McCrorie’s impact that Alves is not the only centre-back who should worry.
Fabio Cardoso played alongside the Gers youngster in recent games against Celtic and Hamilton Academical, but could the 23-year-old also be at risk of some time on the bench if Caixinha opts to test McCrorie alongside Alves?
In truth rotation could be vital for Rangers as they look to challenge Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership and attempt to bring some silverware back to Ibrox, but playing McCrorie with Alves could also allow the veteran to teach the apprentice what it takes to reach the top of his game.
In time Alves is expected to play less to accommodate his exciting young Rangers teammate, but to suggest that he is the only defender at risk from McCrorie’s unexpected breakthrough is incorrect.
Cardoso has been an ever-present so far this season and rightly so, but then so had Alves before his minor setback so anything is possible when Rangers return to competitive action after the latest international break.
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