Barry Ferguson has proposed an unexpected name to fill the void left by the sidelined John Lundstram for the upcoming Motherwell trip. In light of the team’s recent injury setbacks, Ferguson shared his insights on the potential replacement for the crucial Christmas Eve clash.
The Ibrox giants, who could potentially top the league at Christmas depending on Celtic’s result against Livingston, are grappling with multiple injuries, leaving manager Philippe Clement with some challenging decisions to make. Lundstram and Kemar Roofe have been confirmed as absentees for the Lanarkshire encounter, intensifying the selection dilemma.
Among the casualties, midfielder Cyriel Dessers is expected to feature up front, but the central midfield remains a question mark with key players like Ryan Jack, Nico Raskin, and Tom Lawrence still on the sidelines. Ferguson, however, has a surprising suggestion. Dujon Sterling, typically a right-back, has impressed in a makeshift midfield role recently, earning praise from his manager for standout performances in the Viaplay Cup Final and against Real Betis.
While Sterling is a viable option, Ferguson has floated the idea of John Souttar stepping into the midfield role left vacant by Lundstram’s absence. The proposal originated from Peter Grant, and Ferguson expressed his approval on The Go Radio Football Show, stating, “It’s a good shout. I was thinking about that today because obviously, John Lundstram is going to be out.”
Acknowledging Souttar’s conventional position as a center-half, Ferguson sees potential for the player to adapt to the No. 6 role in the middle of the pitch. Reflecting on Souttar’s suitability for the position, Ferguson remarked, “So it will be interesting to see what he (Clement) does on Sunday. He’s obviously said players have played out of position, and I’m sure if you ask John Souttar, I think he would go in there and be a good replacement in the middle of the pitch.”
As Rangers aim for three crucial points at Fir Park, the manager’s decision on Lundstram’s replacement will be closely watched, with the unexpected prospect of John Souttar taking center stage in the midfield battle.