Glasgow Rangers are already on the ropes within the race to safe the Scottish Premiership title and are in peril of lacking out on the trophy for a fourth yr in succession.
Philippe Clement‘s aspect are already 9 factors adrift of Celtic and Aberdeen, who’re each unbeaten, and want an unimaginable run of kind and a drop-off from their rivals to have an opportunity of overtaking them.
The Gentle Blues have already misplaced thrice within the top-flight this season, as soon as every to the Hoops and the Dons, and dropped factors in a 0-0 draw with Hearts on the opening day.
Their struggles, as soon as once more, within the league might see a significant change to the squad, with a latest report suggesting {that a} key participant may very well be offered.
Soccer Insider lately claimed that Rangers are planning to cash in on James Tavernier subsequent summer season, along with his contract up in 2026, due to his ‘declining’ performances on the pitch.
If the Ibrox giants go forward with their plan to promote the English full-back, the Gers would wish a brand new captain, and listed below are three attainable choices for Clement to select from.
1
Jack Butland
One contender to tackle the armband is goalkeeper Jack Butland, who joined the Gentle Blues on a free switch from Crystal Palace in the summertime of 2023.
The 31-year-old star is likely one of the most skilled gamers within the dressing room and has performed at a excessive stage, with 87 appearances within the Premier League in his profession.
Butland may very well be the oldest participant within the squad on the finish of the 2024/25 marketing campaign, as the one two gamers at the moment older than him are James Tavernier and Leon Balogun. The previous is reportedly as a consequence of be offered and the latter is because of be out of contract on the finish of the month when he turns 37.
This implies that he may very well be in one of the best place to cross on recommendation to the youthful members of the squad and would have essentially the most expertise in massive moments to calm the troops when wanted.
Butland has additionally been extremely dependable for the Gers on the pitch, each when it comes to his performances and his availability. Since his transfer to the membership final yr, the English titan has made a whopping 78 appearances for the membership in all competitions – taking part in each single minute of league motion in that point.
|
Jack Butland |
23/24 Premiership |
24/25 Premiership |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
38 |
11 |
|
Sofascore ranking |
6.99 |
7.17 |
|
Save success price |
71% |
72% |
|
Saves made |
80 |
21 |
|
Clear sheets |
18 |
6 |
As you may see within the desk above, the previous England worldwide has saved 24 clear sheets within the Premiership for the reason that begin of final season and saved 71% of the photographs in opposition to his aim.
This exhibits that he has been a protected pair of palms, saving the vast majority of the efforts in opposition to him to maintain a wholesome variety of shutouts, and that’s the reason he must be a contender for the captaincy, as he’s a powerful performer and an skilled head within the dressing room.
2
John Souttar
One other sturdy choice to be the brand new captain if Tavernier is offered is central defender John Souttar, whose performances have been spectacular this season.
He initially arrived at Ibrox on a free switch from Hearts in the summertime of 2022 however endured an extremely irritating debut marketing campaign with the Gers, with 13 appearances in all competitions as a consequence of a long-term absence with an ankle harm.
Souttar labored his manner again to health and played 41 times in all competitions through the 2023/24 marketing campaign beneath Michael Beale and Clement, scoring two targets from centre-back.
|
24/25 Premiership |
John Souttar |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
10 |
|
Go accuracy |
92% |
|
Dribbled previous |
1x |
|
Floor duel success price |
65% |
|
Aerial duel success price |
66% |
|
Clear sheets |
6 |
As you may see within the desk above, the previous Jam Tarts star has been a dominant drive on the again for the Scottish giants and helped to maintain a formidable six clear sheets in ten league outings.
Butland described Souttar as “brilliant” in October and claimed that the Scotland worldwide “offers every thing for the membership”, which suggests that he’s captain materials, because the defender is dedicated to the workforce and performs with ardour.
The colossus can be vastly skilled in Scottish soccer, with over 200 appearances within the Premiership, and may very well be an amazing function mannequin for the youthful gamers to look as much as, as he has been there and carried out it within the top-flight, which is another excuse why Clement should think about him to be the following skipper.
3
Dujon Sterling
The third potential choice to tackle the captaincy is flexible star Dujon Sterling, who has but to nail down an everyday beginning spot in his favoured place at right-back.
His lack of normal begins within the workforce might make this choice appear odd, however Football FanCast recently posted an article suggesting that the sale of Tavernier might open the door for the previous Chelsea man to ascertain himself on the precise aspect.
Sterling has solely started four games at right-back for the reason that begin of final season, with different outings at right-midfield, defensive midfield, left-back, central midfield, and left-midfield, however the captain leaving in January or subsequent summer season might enable him to play there often.
The 25-year-old star has proven his dedication to the Gers by being keen to play in such quite a lot of positions for the membership, being able to play wherever he’s wanted, across 53 appearances.
Since his transfer to Ibrox, Sterling has not missed more than two games in a row via harm, which means that he has the supply required to be the captain, as it will be pointless for Clement to nominate a brand new skipper if they’re continuously lacking via harm.
On the age of 25, the previous Stoke loanee is the youngest participant on this checklist by a number of years and that signifies that he would have the time to develop into the function and be the long-term alternative for Tavernier, each when it comes to the right-back place and the captaincy.
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