'What goes through the manager's mind' - Pundit says Clement sent bad message, must axe 'Poor' Rangers ace

Philippe Clement needs to drop James Tavernier and is sending the wrong message to his Rangers squad by not doing so by now, says Derek Ferguson.

The Light Blues captain has struggled mightily for form this term after a summer of speculation that he was set for a transfer exit, and was singled out for abuse outside Ibrox in the wake of the 3-0 Old Firm derby loss to Celtic on 1 September.

But he has still started every game so far and Ferguson believes that keeping an underperforming player in the XI every week tells other players you don’t get picked on merit.

He would rather see Dujon Sterling given a shot at the role while taking Tavernier out of the firing line for a rest after a gruelling few weeks.

Sterling has struggled for fitness himself this term but has been given a contract extension, but Feyenoord loanee Neraysho Kasanwirjo has since made his debut and shown he could be another option.

Dujon Sterling called for Rangers starts

“I thought he would have been took out of the equation [already],” Ferguson exclusively told Ibrox News.

“The manager’s already said that he isn’t going to play every game this season and he’s been poor.

“I would like to see him given a wee bit of a rest, not just physically, but even mentally as well because he’s took a hell of a lot of flack this season.

“Get Sterling in there and give him an opportunity. Let’s see what he can give us and just leave Tavernier for a bit of a break.

“We don’t know what goes through the manager’s mind. He’s maybe thinking, ‘He’s my captain, I’m going to play him’.

“But I don’t think it sends a great message if you’re taking in under-par performances, to still get a game, to get a start in the XI.

“I would take him out personally and give him a wee breather, and I think everybody concerned would understand that.” 

In other Rangers news, a Clement job security update has emerged in the wake of yet another sudden resignation.

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The post 'What goes through the manager's mind' - Pundit says Clement sent bad message, must axe 'Poor' Rangers ace appeared first on Ibrox News.