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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
[email protected] | Blair Meikle

Why £9m Kevin Kelsy may have to wait for Rangers game time

New Rangers signing Kevin Kelsy (Image: Getty)

Derek McInnes is still figuring things out at Rangers but Barry Ferguson reckons he will be sure of one thing - Lawrence Shankland must play.

Back-to-back wins have settled things down at Ibrox but there could still be an improvement in performance, while there have neen regular changes in formation and personnel between and during games.

With new players still bedding in and the squad gelling after a big overhaul, it seems as if places are still up for grabs in the manager's preferred XI.

Not at centre forward after three goals in two games for the captain, says Ferguson.

"But, among all of this early season chaos, the one certainty he’ll know to be true is that he stands the best chance of getting the results he needs with Lawrence Shankland leading his attack.

"The new captain has now scored three goals in two games after the back-to-back away wins at Pittodrie and Falkirk which have helped take some of the pressure off following a difficult start to the season.


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"In both of these games, Lawrence has been deployed in his best position - as the focal point for the team - and, while all the changes are going on, that’s one thing I would expect to remain as a constant over the weeks ahead.

"His match winning double on Wednesday night showed exactly why he should have been a Rangers player some time ago. Shankland is a game changer. He’s a striker who can be relied upon to produce the moments that matter and, as far as I’m concerned, he’s the most natural finisher in the country," he said in the Daily Record.

Venezuelan striker Kevin Kelsy arrived in a £9million transfer from Portland Timbers on deadline day yesterday, but Ferguson thinks he will have to be patient for game time.

He added: "Yes, Rangers have splashed out around £9m for a new No.9 in Kevin Kelsy and that’s obviously an enormous lay out. The Venezuelan striker looks like an exciting prospect and a big, powerful front man.

"But he’ll either need to be patient and wait for his chance or find a way of playing around Shankland for the time being because Rangers look at their most dangerous when the captain is the main man.

"Even when he drops a little deeper to link the play, as soon as he’s popped the ball off just watch his next move - it’s almost always a bursting run to get into the box where he knows he’ll get a chance.

"Kelsy might turn out over time to be a terrific buy and worth every penny but right now, with so many changes going on and so many new players finding their feet, Lawrence Shankland is absolutely priceless."

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