McLeish ‘yet to be convinced’ by Itten after what he’s seen at Rangers
Alex McLeish has insisted Cedric Itten needs to work on his hold-up play after returning to the Rangers squad this month.
The former Gers boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he is “still to be convinced” the 25-year-old is worthy of a starting role at Ibrox.
Itten scored on his first game back at Rangers against Stirling Albion, while he also started in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Livingston.
The Switzerland striker lasted 59 minutes against Livi before being replaced by Kemar Roofe.
McLeish, who was at Ibrox for the Stirling Albion game, insisted Itten needs to show more strength and robustness when leading the line for the Light Blues.
He suggested Roofe and Alfredo Morelos are still ahead in the Ibrox pecking order.
“I’ve still got to be convinced Cedric can be a major factor for Rangers,” McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“You would like to see a wee bit more hold-up play, be a bit more robust.
“But that’s maybe not his game.
“He does, however, remain a dangerous player in the opposition’s penalty box, as long as Rangers get the supply to him.
“So I still feel that the Rangers first-choice centre forwards are slightly ahead of him.”
Itten was recalled by Rangers earlier this month from his loan spell at Greuther Furth.
He netted twice in 12 games for the Bundesliga outfit.
Itten has played a total of 45 times for Rangers since joining from FC St Gallen in 2020.
The seven-cap international has scored seven times for the Gers, four of which have come against Motherwell.
In other news, pundit claims the Light Blues already have Ianis Hagi replacement at Auchenhowie.