What on earth has happened with Greg Docherty?

Ever since the Hampden debacle, one of Rangers’ most outstanding players of 2018 has inexplicably been consigned to the scrapheap, with just 19 minutes of football since he and team mate Alfredo Morelos had an altercation at the half way line.

Greg Docherty, for reasons unknown, has been simply banished from first team affairs. Sure, he makes the bench, but for Jason Holt then Lee Hodson to both be ahead of the ex-Hamilton man today is a sure-fire sign that behind the scenes, something isn’t right.

There are some who think he has been a terrible signing, but they are sponsored by the same company who are emblazoned on our refs. The majority have been impressed by his power, combustibility, pace, technical ability, passing and fight for the shirt.

It is true his Old Firm at Ibrox wasn’t sparkling, but whose was?

After his partnership with Graham Dorrans failed (well, what else when you play someone out of position), it was Docherty who was axed – especially after that Hampden incident.

His ex-manager claimed nothing had happened – this was officially and formally announced as the case.

And yet Docherty had to look on, as Rangers’ most expensive Scottish signing for a long, long time, from the bench as Lee Hodson replaced the injured Jordan Rossiter this afternoon at Easter Road.

This isn’t right. This cannot be right.

For his part Docherty has covered himself in dignity. No complaints, and lots of excellent media work – he has not moaned about his loss of status.

But this kid is the type of player we need to build our team around – many fans are asking for a Docherty, Rossiter and McCrorie midfield. It lacks creativity but my goodness it’s strong, mobile and will fight for every ball.

But for some reason, Jimmy Nicholl didn’t want anything to do with Docherty – and that definitely isn’t using your squad to its best potential.

If Docherty has done something wrong, why has the club not dealt with him as they have with Miller and Wallace? If he hasn’t, why has he been scrapped like this?

Will time tell? Probably not.