Every Rangers left back Euro solution ranked as unseen Dujon Sterling clue ramps up Philippe Clement headache
The Ibrox boss faces a headache with Borna Barisic racing against the clock to be fit for Sparta Prague.
Rangers boss Philippe Clement is facing a major injury headache if full-back Borna Barisic fails to prove his fitness for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Sparta Prague.
The Croatian defender was forced off just 12 minutes into the Light Blues 4-0 win over Hibs at Ibrox after picking up a thigh knock - and was replaced by Ridvan Yilmaz during the Belgian's first-game in charge. However, a solution won't be so easy for the European fixture with the Turkish star left out of the group stage squad by Michael Beale - leaving the boss with a problem to solve.
Record Sport understands that Rangers medics assessed Barisic on Monday at Auchenhowie and it remains to be seen of the 30-year-old will fly out to the Czech Republic with the rest of the squad for the crucial Europa League showdown. If not, it will leave Clement scrambling to find an alternative left back in Prague.
But what are the options for the Rangers boss? Record Sport takes a look from best to worst as he prepares for his first European clash as Ibrox boss.
Dujon Sterling
The versatile defender can play across the back four - and could be handed the chance to impress his new boss against Sparta at left-back. The 23-year-old was signed by Beale in the summer but has struggled since making the move to the Scottish Premiership from Chelsea - with his only start coming in the Scottish Cup clash against Morton back in August. Onlookers see a player more suited with defending than going forward at this present time.
Ahead of the international break, Sterling made the matchday squad for the clashes with Aris Limassol and St Mirren but wasn't included by Clement against Hibs. Sterling also didn't make a cameo for the B team in the UEFA Europa Conference League fixture with Breidablik despite a host of first-team stars ramping up their fitness in the game. It could hint that Sterling has also picked up a knock and will miss the game alongside Barisic.
Adam Devine
The 20-year-old has provided cover on both flanks of the backline during his Rangers career and could be drafted in for a Europa League start. He has his chance to impress Clement with the boss watching the B teams clash with Breidablik - where Devine was handed a start by Colts boss David McCallum. He makes the Europa League squad by virtue of the being on the B list for academy players and offers the Belgian a simple solution.
Ben Davies
Rangers fans are used to seeing Ben Davies play on the left-side of a centre-back pairing with Connor Goldson during his Ibrox career so far. However, he could be pushed out even further by Clement to cover Barisic's absence. Despite not making an appearance off the bench in Clement's debut against Hibs, the 28-year-old kept up his fitness with an appearance against Breidablik and could solve a a problem for his new gaffer.