Rangers face huge Fabio Silva dilemma v Celtic

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Rangers face huge Fabio Silva dilemma v Celtic
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 07: Fabio Silva of Rangers reacts on the floor during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Celtic FC at Ibrox Stadium on April 07, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Philippe Clement faces a massive Old Firm selection dilemma over Fabio Silva, who may have played a fraction better against Kilmarnock last weekend but whose conduct in the goal celebration along with fall-out rumours internally and generally poor performances overall makes it a risky endeavour.

Rangers are desperately short on wingers, with all the club’s best options out injured – only Silva, Scott Wright, and Ross McCausland are actually fit, hence the manager has been misguidedly playing Dujon Sterling wide on the right, to poor effect.

Which means Silva, already a very unpopular player with the fans (albeit defended by many for his gesture) could well get the nod to start on Saturday.

And that’s a big call.

Tom Lawrence has failed to impress as a Rangers player in general, the odd fleeting moment but in general he’s not lived up to the reputation, but he is a left winger by trade even if he’s right-footed.

That makes him an option for the left, even if this manager has never used him there.

There’s also Kemar Roofe, more of a 9 than anything but very mobile and quick.

But will any of these get Clement’s nod over Silva?

We really don’t think so.

Silva’s performance v Celtic at Ibrox was abysmal and embarrassing, and the penalty he did win was ridiculous.

And does he downright add anything?

He’s put in one shift as a Rangers player, and that was v boyhood rivals Benfica, so we’re not going to really count that one.

His goal return is poor – 6 goals, 0 assists in 29 appearances since January, he’s played way more than his performances and quality deserve, and Clement has stuck rigidly by him the whole way.

He’s just not very good, and it would be a massive risk to select him this weekend.

Will Clement take that risk?

Probably, that’s the kind of thing he does really.

We’ll find out on Saturday if he did.

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