Steven Gerrard has a big decision to make on Sunday when he names his side to face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday.
Striker Alfredo Morelos is suspended for the crunch game and back-up Kyle Lafferty is cup-tied, leaving Gerrard with just Umar Sadiq as a recognised forward.
Gerrard has been scathing in his assessment of Sadiq so far, saying that he is a long way form the first team and that he needed to improve “everything” to be considered.
Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller thinks that there are a few options for Gerrard on Sunday but thinks that Ryan Kent should be the one to lead the line.
He was talking on the BT Sport live coverage of the Europa League tie against Spartak Moscow that finished 0-0 on Thursday (BT Sport, 7pm).
Asked who will get the nod from Gerrard Miller replied, “Gerrard’s got a decision to make.
“Ryan Kent will definitely feature. Could he play through the middle? I think he could definitely play as a false nine the way he plays.
“But then you’ve got options on the side with Daniel [Candeias] and Glen Middleton’s always lively, he could come in.
“They could change their shape entirely but if you’re going to play that false nine does Sadiq come into the equation ? He wasn’t even on the bench tonight so that would suggest no. But Ryan Kent running onto the ball the way he does he could definitely play the false nine.”
Earlier on the broadcast he had heaped even more praise on Kent, saying: “Just feed him, just keep feeding him the ball and you know if anyone is going to create anything it’s going to be Ryan Kent.”
OPINION
The game on Sunday is the most important of the season so far under Gerrard. He is desperate for a trophy to break Celtic’s domestic dominance and prove that his newly-assembled side are winners. And beating Aberdeen will bring him one match away from that. He’ll be gutted to have lost Alfredo Morelos for the game and Lafferty being cup-tied gives him a selection headache. We think it comes down to two men on Sunday. Sadiq won’t be trusted, but Glen Middleton could come in and has already said he’d be willing to take on the role and has played as a striker before. Ryan Kent is the most likely though. The Liverpool loanee has been Rangers’ best player this season and has really stepped up his performances in recent weeks. He’s fast, direct and creative and he’s great with the ball at his feet. If we were betting men we’d have a few quid on Kent taking on the responsibility to get the goals that should fire Rangers to the final.