Has summer signing’s performances created a problem for Pedro?

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Has summer signing’s performances created a problem for Pedro?

A great number of Rangers players have earned our respect – it is not something you simply get by putting on the shirt; any Tom, Dick or Harry can do that. Instead, you need to show commitment on the field, dignity and class off it, and be able to play a bit too.

Lee Wallace falls into all of the above, and gets an extra touch of credibility such was his dedication to Rangers in 2012 when, let us face it, he sacrificed his career to play in the lower bowels of Scottish football.

Maybe he was settled here, maybe he had family issues keeping him here and it would have been too much hassle to move, but worse players have moved for far more trivial reasons and ultimately we hold the man in high regard for giving us the best years of his career when he could probably have switched to a solid EPL side and become a mainstay in the Scotland team.

So it is with a slightly heavy heart that we must admit Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha may have a dilemma on his hands come around November when club captain Wallace is scheduled to be regain fitness.

Last night, deputy left back Declan John effectively stole the show with a complete performance – Arthur Numan it was not quite, but it was impressive enough to create a real question for Rangers’ manager when his team captain regains full health.

Wallace’s form of the past 18 months has been patchy at best. Many might even argue the lad might be past his best given he has now hit the big 30, but that seems a stretch. Whatever the reason for his slightly sub-par form, it has created a potential issue – with the on-loan Cardiff man suddenly smashing it out there, even scoring with his weakest foot, Rangers now have a bit of serious competition for that berth.

Of course, for now, it is a moot point – and we do not know how circumstances could evolve over the next 6 weeks. For now, Declan John has staked his claim at LB and will continue to play there as long as he is fit and available – so, for the time being, it is a non-issue.

But when the captain returns, will John be benched? If the Welshman’s form continues as well as it has started, would that on any level be justifiable? Or will he keep Waldo seated?

Then again, could Caixinha posit the idea of playing both? Of putting John on that troubled left wing slot? But then what of his favourite Josh Windass who curiously seems to be able to hold that position down in a midfield four or a front three regardless of how poor he is.

These are intriguing concepts for the Portuguese to ponder, and as stated, they are not yet a problem. For now we can enjoy John tearing up the left as long as his form maintains.

But a month and a half is not a long time in football and we will be fascinated to see how Wallace’s return is handled.

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10 COMMENTS

  1. It looks like Declan John is a better defender than Lee Wallace.

    It looks like Declan John is a much better attacker than Lee Wallace.

    It looks like Declan John is a lot faster than Lee Wallace.

    It looks like Declan John is a better dribbler than Lee Wallace.

    It looks like Declan John has more positional sense than Lee Wallace.

    Can we rely on Pedro to pick the right player in his starting 11?

    • MOST Agreed Richard, most agreed.
      As for the lad playing through they lower leagues with us is /was just champion but… and their is a but, Lee wasn't ever THAT great a player at any time with hearts either and we were paying him easy and good money as well.
      Like all players at Any Football Club, you often get replaced when there is a better player, such is Life.

    • Looking at the lad 'John' and his tackling/passing/ability to be in his position when it matters most, for me John has this LB position as long as he wants it, barring injury.
      Lee is no midfielder nor is he a winger.
      All we need now is a far better RB and one more proper decent CB and our Defence will be sorted, so roll-on the January Transfer Window.

    • Very early days to give Declan John first team entitlement. I will judge him against the beggars and sheep worshipers before I will decide between Wallace and himself. Wallace can handle high pressured games, time will tell if Declan can. Fair play to the lad though, he did stand up and take responsibility against Hamilton when we were 1-0 down, that does show good character in itself when the chips are down. But again, that was against Hamilton!

  2. Come on, let us bide our time here. Declan John has been good for us so far, pity he wasn't in the team a week ago to see how he would have coped.
    If he maintains his standards he has shown so far, I don't dispute Wallace will struggle to regain his place. It doesn't seem that long ago we had a similar situation with Lee Wallace and Sasa Papac vying for left back and a few times both played, can't say it was a roaring success, however, with John and Wallace in a combined left side of the pitch, I'd be happy to give them a try. We all know we are screaming out for a balanced left side of the field.John might be offered a very good contract offer come the winter shutdown from us too.

  3. Declan John has played nobody as of yet – when he plays against some decent opposition and if he does a job then their is a case.

  4. Lee has been carrying an injury off and on for about a year . Lets hope that when he returns he's fully fit Then we play both of them , one at left midfield .

  5. With everything that's going on Lee Wallace is the last person you should be focussed on. Must be short of stuff to write on. We regularly shout about how loyal we are …..let's show it. More concerned about our Manager, the leading person at the club embarrassing us any time he opens his mouth and signing very poor players at very high prices. On the actual issue of Declan, I agree with the idea of playing both and shoring up the left side.

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