Rangers call up four youths for Motherwell

Pedro Caixinha has announced his intent at expanding his options for Sunday’s cup semi with Motherwell with the surprise call up for no less than four youth players, it has emerged.

While central defender Ross McCrorie can almost qualify as a senior veteran these days, left back Myles Beerman gets a recall and will be in the Portuguese’s plans for Motherwell, along with utility man Jordan Thompson and midfield engine room Jamie Barjonas.

All four of these are versed in match day experience, but Pedro’s use of them has left youth coach Graeme Murty depleted and his lads could only draw with AZ earlier this week as a result.

But Motherwell is the priority, and with the quadruplet all called up, chances are high for the likes of McCrorie and Barjonas of making the bench at the very least – Beerman also stands out – the young Malteser impressed last season and would fancy his chances of playing some part with himself the only proper recognised left back available to Caixinha.

Declan John has recently been deployed in that slot but the player himself admits it is not his best position and he is all about the wing play and attacking – the other option is Lee Hodson, who is primarily a right back.

In reality Caixinha is likely to stick closely to the side who convincingly dispatched St Johnstone, so we will see how these intriguing call ups affect the manager’s thinking.