Rangers TV pundit issues 'huge' claim after Kemar Roofe injury update
Alan Hutton has insisted Giovanni van Bronckhorst must "take the gamble" of starting Kemar Roofe for Rangers against RB Leipzig at Ibrox.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers defender and Rangers TV pundit insisted Thursday's game is "huge" and that the 29-year-old will be needed.
As reported by the Scottish Sun on Monday (2 May), Roofe is winning his fitness battle to feature in Thursday's second leg of their Europa League semi-final.
The striker has missed the Gers' last three games with a knee injury.
However, Van Bronckhorst is reportedly optimistic he will be available against Leipzig.
Hutton admitted playing Roofe could be a risk but one that the Rangers boss needs to take.
Asked if Van Bronckhorst should bring Roofe straight back on Thursday, Hutton told Football Insider's Russell Edge: "It's a difficult one, isn't it?
"On one side, I'm saying yes, take the gamble. If he's training and he says he's ready to go then you play him.
"You have to play them because this is huge. We do say it week after week but this is the next game and it is the biggest game.
"Obviously you've got a cup final coming up but I don't think you can rest somebody just for that. If he's fit and available, I think you play him."
Roofe has played 35 times for the Light Blues across all competitions this season, with 16 goals under his belt.
He scored and assisted in the second leg against Braga as the Gers overturned a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to win 3-2 on aggregate.