Steven Gerrard has laid into Umar Sadiq again, warning him he needs to improve every part of his game if he is to get a chance at Rangers.
The striker joined on loan from Roma in the summer but has played just 27 minutes of football, and Gerrard hasn’t been impressed.
He admitted Sadiq is highly unlikely to play in the Betfred Cup semi-final against Aberdeen, despite Alfredo Morelos being suspended and Kyle Lafferty cup-tied.
It means the Rangers manager is likely to line up with either Glenn Middleton or Ryan Kent in the middle of a front three and now he’s issued a further warning to Sadiq.
When asked about what Sadiq must improve to earn a place in the team, Gerrard said: “Everything.
“Competition for places is very tough all over the pitch but he’s got a fight.”
“He’s come in as a young boy, he’s settled in well, everyone at Rangers has done everything they can and the fans have got behind him. But the reality is there’s no secret to any position, you have to fight and show me and my staff that you’re worth of game minutes. It can’t just be given to you, not at a club like this so it’s all up to Umar, the ball is in his court.
“He has the chance and opportunity to impress all of us on a daily basis, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work out that he’s going to have to improve if he’s to earn some game time.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity but just because he is one of the number nines available and two unavailable doesn’t mean he’s going to play or feature.”
Rangers will play first on semi-final Sunday against Aberdeen and Gerrard admitted he was “delighted” his side would be getting the first go at playing on the Hampden surfaced.”
Umar was a member of the Dream Team that clinched a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
