Hutton: Four Rangers stars could be axed – ‘Clement will fix it in January’
Philippe Clement will “want to fix” the “ragged” Rangers defence this January with the four stars at the back all in the firing line.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Gers and Scotland defender Alan Hutton admitted he feared the club’s tendency to look weak at the back in the early stages of games.
As revealed by Football Insider (17 December), the board will back Clement in the January transfer window after earning over £20million from their Europa League campaign.
Rangers have the strongest defence in the league having let in just eight goals this season, but have often been caught out in the opening period of clashes, including conceding before the 15-minute mark against Dundee, Aberdeen and Hearts.
The Belgian has mostly stuck with a centre-back partnership of Leon Balogun and Connor Goldson this season, but Ben Davies and John Souttar have also stepped in.
Hutton feels these defensive lapses have been a cause of concern this season and is adamant that the boss will be eyeing up reinforcements this winter.
“Of course, it worries me,” he told Football Insider.
“The likes of Goldson are getting rested after he’s been played a lot in recent years and Souttar and Balogun are all vying for that position.
“I think the game against Dundee didn’t start the best and they looked a little bit ragged at times.
“Dundee had their opportunities but this happens. But it’s been an issue, I’m not going to lie.
“If you look at the Aberdeen game – one straight ball gives them their goal so it’s not ideal.
“It’s definitely something Clement will fix in January.”
In other news, ‘Number 56 on its way’, ‘If the board want this…’ – Rangers fans react to shock Celtic 2-0 defeat to Hearts.