Philippe Clement faces Rangers Scottish Cup conundrum

Ross McCausland has fired himself into contention for a Rangers Scottish Cup final starting slot on the right – but it could hinge on Dujon Sterling’s position at Hampden.

And that is just one of the many decisions facing Philippe Clement according to BBC Sportscene pundits James McFadden and Michael Stewart who reckon the Belgian has big decisions to make due to injuries and Old Firm derby form. McFadden believes McCausland could be in line for a big role against Celtic following this goal in the final day 3-3 Scottish Premiership draw against Hearts, although Abdallah Sima’s return to action means the on-loan Brighton man might be preferred.

McFadden said of the right flank: “It’s a position that’s certainly available and up for grabs. It will be interesting to see just how Philippe Clement lines up against Celtic. Previously, against Celtic it’s not worked what he’s tried to do. Ross McCausland, certainly coming off that right hand side you know he’s bringing energy and he’ll drive with the ball. It all depends where Dujon Sterling plays. If that’s defence then McCausland has a better chance of playing. Sima was back in the bench so it may well be Sima but McCausland has done himself no hard.

“The problem Rangers have is that if you were to pick your eleven there is no real team that stands out where you say ‘this team has to start’. There are a lot of positions and players with chances to go and grab positions.”

And studio sidekick Stewart agreed, saying: “There’s a lot (of conundrums). Even a few months ago there were changes from game to game with Philippe Clement but they had a rhythm in terms of the results they were picking up. Yes, you can tinker about the edges but the momentum was there. But the injuries have got worse, the momentum has completely gone and there’s holes all over the place. It’s not an easy week for Philippe Clement trying to figure out how to put the team together to best stop Celtic.

“Realistically, they’ve never been able to lay a mark on Callum McGregor and stop him. And for Celtic he’s the source of a lot of their play so first and foremost they have to stop him to stop the spread of the game from him.”