- Derek Cornelius returns after international break, but his route to the team is blocked.
- The Canadian centre-back has only made 11 appearances for Rangers.
- 28-year-old ends five-month hiatus amid rift with Danny Rohl.
Derek Cornelius has returned to the Rangers squad ahead of the remaining six matches of the campaign.
The centre-back has been away on international duty with Canada and made appearances off the bench in their friendlies against Iceland and Tunisia.
The 28-year-old is on loan from Marseille and rejoins the Rangers squad after a five month spell on the sidelines.
With Cornelius making his return at the tail end of the campaign, he has minimal time to make a mark on the pitch.
Rangers’ centre-back position is already filled
Cornelius last pulled on the Rangers’ shirt in a 3-0 win over Dundee on 9 November last year in Danny Rohl’s sixth match in charge and the picture has changed since then.
Manny Fernandez has grown into his own and is impressing for Rangers under Rohl as he has become a regular starter under the German.
Nasser Djiga and John Souttar have also been filling in the requirements of that role with both players starting in the victories against Aberdeen and Dundee United.
So, at the moment, it is hard to see the Canadian slotting into the squad regularly between now and May.
Rohl’s comments telling after Cornelius rift
There has been much made about the relationship between player and manager.
Rohl seemed to insinuate there is a rift with the Canadian as he was instructed to train with the club’s youth team.
An agreement was also thrashed for the centre-back to arrive early on international duty for Canada which has extended his absence from the Rangers’ first team.
The German also revealed that a conversation will be had on his return after the international break.
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In this morning’s press conference, the manager did comment on Cornelius saying that “Derek is back in the training group.”
It would be surprising if the conversation between Rohl and the 26-year-old has not happened and perhaps an inclusion on Sunday will provide an indication as to what the end of the season entails for the Canadian.
Derek Cornelius’ return to the squad provides another body in reinforcements ahead of the run-in.
However, it remains to be seen if the issues with Danny Rohl have been resolved and it perhaps on Sunday against Falkirk there will be signs of reconciliation.
