Alious**Clement’s Desperate Gamble? Rangers Must Unleash Teen Star to Save Their Season**
After Rangers’ humiliating Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park—marking their first-ever home defeat to lower-league opposition in the competition—the club is teetering on the brink of a disastrous, trophyless season. Sitting 13 points behind Celtic in the Premiership, the title race is virtually over, but Philippe Clement still faces a must-win showdown at Tynecastle this weekend as he fights to keep his job. With a crucial Europa League last-16 clash looming on March 6, could Clement turn to a highly-rated teenage prospect to reinvigorate his struggling midfield?
Rangers’ Midfield Woes**
As former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has pointed out, Rangers’ midfield has been a glaring weak spot throughout the season. Clement has experimented with different combinations, but statistics suggest that Mohammed Diomandé and Nicolas Raskin have been the most effective duo. Diomandé offers attacking drive, leading in goals, assists, and chance creation, while Raskin provides defensive stability with superior tackling, interceptions, and duels won.
With those two established as Clement’s preferred partnership, Connor Barron has been the odd man out. After a bright start to his Rangers career following his move from Aberdeen—earning Player of the Month honors in September—Barron has struggled for impact. His numbers in goals, assists, and creativity lag behind his midfield counterparts. A medial collateral ligament injury, sustained in a clash with Manchester United’s Matthijs de Ligt, has sidelined him for weeks, leaving Clement with limited midfield depth.
The Case for Bailey Rice**
With options running thin, should Clement take a gamble on 18-year-old Bailey Rice? The young midfielder was handed his first senior start in the disastrous Scottish Cup loss to Queen’s Park, only to be substituted at halftime—a move that sparked backlash. Former Hearts and Hibs midfielder Michael Stewart blasted the decision as “deplorable,” while broadcaster Darrell Currie warned against making Rice a scapegoat.
Despite his early withdrawal, Rice has earned praise from key figures at Ibrox. Ex-Rangers defender Alan Hutton believes the youngster is “ready” for first-team action, highlighting his solid performance when replacing Barron against Manchester United. Ianis Hagi has also commended Rice’s mentality, further bolstering the argument that the teenager deserves another chance.
A Star in the Making?**
Clement finds himself in a desperate situation, and throwing Rice into the deep end at Tynecastle could be the shake-up Rangers need. While Barron was once seen as a midfield mainstay, Rice’s potential suggests he could surpass his injured teammate in the long run. With Rangers in dire need of a spark, giving the youngster a chance to shine could be the bold move that turns their season around.
Alious
