'The big question mark' - Pundit backs Clement to make Tavernier call for Rangers v Aberdeen

Philippe Clement will restore James Tavernier to the Rangers starting XI for the showdown with Aberdeen, according to Alan Hutton.

The Light Blues travel to Pittodrie on Wednesday (30 October) as they look to close the gap to both Celtic and Jimmy Thelin’s unbeaten side at the top of the Premiership table.

Although Clement rested Tavernier for the Light Blues’ win over St Mirren on Sunday (27 October) with Neraysho Kasanwirjo preferred, Premier Sports pundit Hutton expects the Gers skipper to return to the fold on Wednesday.

Speaking on The Scottish Football Social Club (28 October) he said: “The big question mark now is what happens Wednesday?

“I think he’ll come back in and play. I genuinely think he’ll come in and play. Do I think the manager will drop him? No, I don’t.

“From my point of view, there are certain games like this one up against a really strong forward line with pace when you need somebody who can deal with that and I believe Kasanwirjo is the guy who can deal with it.”

What has happened to Rangers captain James Tavernier at Ibrox?

Fans and pundits alike have been asking Clement to rest and rotate Tavernier in and out of the side for months now, and the Belgian finally did so against St Mirren.

While the Light Blues’ performance at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon was far from perfect, Kasanwirjo was once again fairly impressive and demonstrated a level of defensive acumen that Tavernier simply isn’t capable of.

Already this term, the Englishman’s poor positioning out of position has come back to bite the Gers. His display against Celtic at Parkhead was nowhere near good enough and Aberdeen will similarly be able to take advantage of it.

If Clement wants to give his side the best chance of claiming all three points, he should start Kasanwirjo at right back. But what sort of message do you send by leaving your captain out of the biggest game so far this season?

The Gers boss is going to have to be brave at Pittodrie. To put it simply, this could be a season and job-defining game.

In other Rangers news, Vaclav Cerny has been told that he looks like a “little boy” when he plays in the Scottish Premiership

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