The oddity of David Bates

If one player sums up the dire state of Rangers’ defence, it’s David Bates. Deemed surplus at Raith Rovers (he started seven league matches between 2013 and 2016), he came on loan to Rangers’ development squad and was then plunged into Rangers’ XI when a defensive crisis under Pedro saw him debut at Kilmarnock in a controversial press announcement which included Myles Beerman.

So, let’s just clarify that – David Bates started seven league matches at Raith Rovers in four years, and would not have played for Rangers but for a defensive crisis which left no other options.

Fast forward to the present day, and Bates has somehow, after some decent initial displays last year, followed by average performances this, been exalted by many supporters to an outstanding talent and the future of the club.

Am I the only one wondering what the heck is going on?

Have Rangers’ options at the back become so diabolical that a frankly rank average defender is being scaled to lofty heights and actually has the gall to demand a higher wage?!

This is not to absolutely smear Bates – he is not the worst defender we have had at Ibrox. We’ve seen absolute howlers like Emilson Cribari and Ross Perry disgrace the shirt in the past, so we do not bracket him there.

But when we think to SPL Rangers teams of the past, of recent eras we are talking Bocanegra, Goian, Weir, Cuellar – and some fans appear to have rated similarly a player the Rovers deemed surplus?

Not good enough for a Championship side but good enough for Rangers?

Have I slipped into a parallel universe where Rangers again accept players who clearly aren’t good enough?

I thought we’d moved on from this when the likes of Kiernan, McCulloch, et al were at Ibrox, when we used to try to big up absolute rubbish in order to justify their being in our shirt.

Rangers’ central defence is abysmal – Alves should be the best player but hasn’t delivered, and the other three options of Martin, Bates and Cardoso must be the weakest SPL Rangers defence I can remember.

Yes, David Bates may actually be the best defender we have, but that’s a massive indictment of the options available rather than any merit on his part.