As Borna Barisic is ruled out of the Rangers’ Europa League clash against Sparta Prague with injury, Adam Devine could be gifted the chance to impress.
Philippe Clement has explained that Rangers are facing something of a crisis in the position with Ridvan Yilmaz not in the Europa League squad and Dujon Sterling on the sidelines.
Whilst the Belgian manager failed to take the bait when it came to Michael Beale’s squad calls, the manager is looking for “solutions” in the position.
When pressed on the potential of left-footers Ben Davies and John Lundstram filling in at left-back, Philippe Clement was giving nothing away.
But with Adam Devine previously excelling in a brief stint in the position under Michael Beale last season, the new Rangers manager may well be tempted to throw the right-back into the clash with Sparta Prague.
“There is no left-back in the squad, not a natural one,” said Clement.
“I’m not a coach that goes around in circles when there’s a problem. I like to find solutions so it will be an”other player who does not play in his normal position. He will have to fill that position and do a job for the team. You can keep on talking and being negative, but someone else needs to come in and do a job for the team.”
“I expect everyone to attack together and to defend together. In this position you have different things to do, attacking and defending. So I want that mindset from my players, especially when someone has to step in in a different way from before.”
Adam Devine in line to start v Sparta Prague for Rangers
Having been pictured in Rangers training in the run up to the 4-0 win over Hibs, Devine wasn’t included even on the bench in the victory.
Adam Devine has also only played once this season – as a late substitute in the League Cup win over Greenock Morton – so many might feel the match with Sparta Prague is a big step up.
But with Philippe Clement previously claiming that he will try to give youngsters opportunities this is a chance for the 20-year-old right-back to show the Belgian he can be relied upon in the top team.
Should Rangers call on John Lundstram, an injury-ravaged midfield loses it’s biggest enforcer, whilst Ben Davies’ rocky form has plenty of Ibrox doubts over an appearance.
For us, the stage is set for Adam Devine to go to Sparta Prague and put in a performance which forces him into the new Rangers manager’s thinking.
A traditional full-back, the move would provide the least disruption to the Ibrox squad and provide one of the club’s young players the opportunity to prove his worth.
