Stevie Clifford has stated that Liam Kelly might be selected as Rangers’ captain against Celtic due to the absence of James Tavernier and Jack Butland.
Following the announcement that Butland will miss the Old Firm match on January 2 after being taken to the hospital, the Four Lads Had a Dream podcaster commented on X on January 1. This means Kelly will be joining the team.
Philippe Clement might have to select Kelly as his backup captain because John Souttar is also sidelined until the end of January due to injury, and Leon Balogun has a late fitness test to see if he can play [Gordon Duncan, December 31].
Clifford remarked, “Butland, Tavernier, (John) Souttar, and possibly Balogun mean our whole experience is ripped out.”
With no clear successors, Liam Kelly steps in and may possibly skipper the team. It was going to be challenging, but now it’s a massive undertaking.
With Jack Butland out, Rangers have a mountain to climb against Celtic.
Few Gers supporters wouldn’t like to see Butland start against Celtic, despite the fact that his play this season, especially in recent weeks, has drastically declined from his performances from the previous campaign.
Kelly, who only made his Light Blue debut against Dundee last month, is expected to reclaim his spot after returning to the team where his career started on a free transfer from Motherwell this summer.
Despite his lack of playing time this season, Kelly, who was signed from 2006 to 2018 without making a senior game, is still probably one of the team’s most seasoned players.
Any defensive experience Clement can gather on the pitch against the Light Blues’ fiercest opponents on Thursday will be crucial because he may be without four of his starting back five.
There aren’t many other names that jump out as potential captains in lieu of Tavernier and Butland, and as Gers supporters weren’t particularly hopeful prior to the latter’s injury, they will now be worried.
