Should David Bates be concerned about Ross McCrorie’s Rangers return?

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Glasgow Rangers defender David Bates has played regularly for the Ibrox side lately.

One of the reasons that Graeme Murty deserves praise for the job that he has done since taking over as Rangers boss is that he has had to cope with several long-term injuries to important players within his first-team.

The likes of Graham Dorrans and Ryan Jack look set to be long-term absentees, while Ross McCrorie is another player who was hugely influential for the Gers before he picked up the problem that means that he is currently sidelined.

Despite going into this season still awaiting his Scottish Premiership debut for the Light Blues, McCrorie’s return, whenever that may be, will provide a massive boost for Rangers as he has taken little time to make himself a vital part of the side.

He initially broke through as a centre-back and excelled there before pushed slightly further forward into a holding midfield role. Once again, he excelled and looks destined to be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

That versatility means that several of the players currently featuring in defence and midfield should be slightly concerned about what McCrorie’s return may mean for them – and perhaps it would be fair to suggest that the player who should be most concerned is David Bates.

Although McCrorie was shining in midfield in the games leading up to his injury, the depth that Rangers now boast in the middle of the park hints that the 19-year-old stands the best chance of quickly reestablishing himself as a key man in the team as part of the back four.

Russell Martin may have been disappointing in the weekend win over Hamilton Academical, but Bates’ lack of experience may count against him if Murty decides to put McCrorie back in at centre-back when he returns.

And with Bates out of contract at Ibrox at the end of the season, the 21-year-old may not be able to afford a lengthy spell on the periphery of the squad as he looks to prove that he has the potential to thrive with Rangers.

It would be harsh if Bates did prove to be the man to make way when McCrorie returns, but with so much riding on the next few months for the defender, he would be certainly be forgiven for being the player most concerned about the implications of his teammate’s return.