What’s the problem with Jason Cummings?

When Rangers’ announced the official XI yesterday afternoon, the response was pretty much unanimous disbelief. So much about the selection was bewildering, but the one which stuck out for most fans was the selection of Kenny Miller in the three ahead of the perennially-benched Jason Cummings.

The idea that if Cummings couldn’t get in ahead of a 38-year old against Dundee, he might as well give up.

The reaction really was ‘why on earth is Cummings not getting a start?’ and ‘why the hell is Miller ahead of him?’.

And truthfully, despite his admittedly decent strike to make it 1-0, Miller was pretty poor otherwise, missing an open goal as well as failing to link midfield to attack with much effectiveness at all.

It is becoming clearer and clearer Graeme Murty doesn’t want or rate Cummings. Despite the striker impressing when he plays and scoring some stunning goals, he just isn’t in favour under this manager, and likely never will be.

When Josh Windass got injured, assumption was that McCrorie or Goss would sit alongside Docherty and Dorrans would shift forward to take Windass’ vacated slot.

Instead, he stayed where he was, Miller started, and Cummings sat idly on the bench, not even being brought on this time.

Cummings must be wondering why he’s moved to Ibrox. He was ‘buzzing’ at the move and shows the heart of a lion as well as neat footwork, technical skill and the most clinical strike at the club, but as long as Murty is manager he will not be a favoured choice and will continue to take up space on the bench.

It’s a shame, because we know what he can do, and how good a player he is when deployed properly – but the reality is under this manager Cummings is an outcast who will only get occasional cameos.

Murty can feel justified in that given yesterday’s result, but the score flattered the home side who were mostly outplayed by Neil McCann’s men. And that was the last ‘easy’ match of this season.

Any fans who hope for Cummings to get a chance under Murty can more or less forget it. We have.