OPINION
Rangers face a pivotal Premiership clash against Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Wednesday as they look to respond to their semi-final exit in the Betfred Cup at the weekend, and manager Steven Gerrard will have to contend with a fresh injury blow in midfield.
As confirmed by the Light Blues boss in the pre-match press conference, Ovie Ejaria has sustained a knock to his ankle and is a doubt to be available against second-placed Killie.
??SG: Ovie Ejaria has a knock on his ankle so he is a doubt for tomorrow.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 30, 2018
While Gerrard stopped short of ruling out the Liverpool loanee, there is little chance that he will risk Ejaria against Kilmarnock with some crucial fixtures coming up.
That means there will be a spot in the starting XI up for grabs, and the appearance of Jordan Rossiter alongside Gerrard at the presser is a hint to suggest that it will be the rarely-seen 21-year-old who deputises.
Rossiter was handed his first start of the season last time out in the Premiership against Hamilton, and despite their 4-1 win, his performance left a lot to be desired.
The former Liverpool ace has had a really tough time of things with injury since his move to Ibrox, and now is the time he must start to step up and repay the faith that the club have shown in him.
His talent is clear – Rossiter was consistently earmarked as one of the biggest talents in the Liverpool academy during his time there – but he is yet to really fulfil that.
Wednesday is a good time for him to do so, with Rangers in need of a lift after that huge blow at the weekend, and Rossiter must now step up into Ejaria’s shoes.
His former Liverpool teammate has been impressive on the whole for the Gers this season, and Rangers will have a tough time against high-flying Killie if no one steps up in his place.
A good performance and a win on Wednesday will finally begin to endear Rossiter to the Rangers faithful, and hopefully begin his career in Ibrox in earnest.