Glasgow Rangers are gearing up to face Lech Poznan in the Europa League but Sunday’s trip to Kilmarnock FC will be playing on Steven Gerrard’s mind. Rangers have alternated wins and losses over their past three games against Kilmarnock, with new summer recruit Kemar Roofe breaking his duck in the 2-0 win over Killie at Ibrox back in August.
Alright, we get it, we’ve been really banging the drum for Jordan Jones in recent weeks, but that’s because we think the Gers are on to a winner with the 9-cap Northern Ireland international.
Better than Barker?
One of the best things about balancing both domestic and European competitions is that it gives Gerrard the chance to rotate his squad. At the moment, Ianis Hagi and Brandon Barker have both started in recent weeks, but it seems like Barker could be dropped anytime soon.
The Romania international has started every Europa League game this season, so it’s fair to say that his place in the side is pretty safe, although we expect him to start against Lech Poznan on Thursday night, so he could be rested for the weekend instead.
Instead, Gerrard will most likely have to choose between Barker or Jones, but snubbing Jones would be a bad move, as the former Kilmarnock man famously scored the winner against the Ibrox outfit in the 2-0 win at Rugby Park in 2019.
Once lauded as a “big-game player” by Michael O’Neill, the 26-year-old has scored one goal in four games so far, whilst he is averaging one shot per game, via SofaScore. By comparison, Barker has mustered fewer than one shot per game, as per SofaScore, whilst Jones has also received a slightly higher rating than his teammate this season.
The Gers could go nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table if they overcome Kilmarnock. Gerrard must give Jones, who earns wages worth £9,100-per-week, the chance to show what he can do, that’s for sure. First thing’s first, they will have to beat Lech Poznan before taking on Killie.
AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers must return for Sheffield United ace John Lundstram…