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After starting two consecutive Rangers matches for just the second time this season, Ross McCrorie had every right to feel aggrieved by Steven Gerrard’s decision to bench him for the 0-0 draw away against Hibernian on Wednesday night.
On the chalkboard
The 20-year-old has largely been in and out of the side so far this term and hadn’t started successive matches between the Europa League qualifying stages back in July and Europa League and Scottish Premiership double header earlier this month, and he would have been feeling confident of a third consecutive appearance in the starting XI at Easter Road.
However, despite Lassana Coulibaly not being in the best of form in recent weeks and drawing criticism from his own supporters on Twitter for his displays, the French loanee was preferred ahead of McCrorie alongside Ryan Jack in the middle of the park.
Considering his strong performances in the 1-0 defeat against Rapid Vienna and the 1-0 success against Hamilton previously, it seemed like a harsh decision from Gerrard to opt for Couilbaly over him.
Should he feel hard done by?
He certainly should.
While the versatile 6ft 3in player is clearly young and still learning, it will be difficult for him to find that consistency unless he is starting regularly, and particularly when he has given the Liverpool legend no reason to drop him to the substitutes’ bench.
The 20-year-old must continue to take his chances when he gets them, and luckily for him that came at half-time against Hibs following Scott Arfield’s injury issue, and he entered the pitch and produced another impressive performance.
McCrorie will be determined to prove to Gerrard that he deserves to be a regular starter, and it will be interesting to see what happens for the trip to St Johnstone on Sunday.