- Rangers need players to step up for the highly anticipated split
- They kick off against Motherwell on the 26th of April
- Three players will be monumental in winning the title
With the split no longer a looming shadow, three Rangers players will be pivotal in the quest for a title.
We aren’t just talking about Rangers’ best players; we are focusing on players with the most important jobs.
Danny Rohl has transformed this side from a group searching for an identity into a high-octane machine that refuses to quit.
While the collective effort under Rohl has been nothing short of miraculous, every great title charge needs its protagonists.
From the veteran leader demanding standards in the dressing room to the clinical finishers who must score goals.
These are the three players who must carry the weight of Glasgow on their shoulders.
Youssef Chermiti (The goalscorer)
With Ryan Naderi out for the rest of the season, Rangers lack firepower options at the top end of the pitch.
Rohl could play Chermiti with Bojan Miovski, but whether he plays a 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2, Rohl will rely on Chermiti.
The Portuguese striker is the top goalscorer at the club this season, registering 11 goals in the Premiership.
Why is he a pivotal player in the split?
There is no question that the toughest games for Rangers are going to be against Celtic and Hearts.
Chermiti has proven he’s a big game player, registering a hattrick against Hearts and two braces against Celtic.
If the Gers are going to win the league, they must be their title challengers, and Chermiti is the striker who can do it.
His ability to turn a half-chance into a winner will be the difference between three points and a frustrating draw.
Jack Butland (The shot-stopper)
In football, the goalkeeper is the most difficult and pressurised position on the pitch.
Jack Butland has proved to worthy number one choice for Rangers over the years, and he has the task of keeping the ball out of the net.
His responsibility doesn’t stop there; he must be commanding of the defence and use every bit of experience he has to help Rangers stay compact and solid.
He’s kept 12 clean sheets this season and boasts a 75.2% save rate. He’s also prevented nearly seven more goals this season.
His penalty saving in crucial moments has been pivotal this season, saving four in the Premiership (80%).
In a defence that’s ever-changing due to injury and fitness issues, Butland is the one constant that is required in a title-winning side.
James Tavernier (Rangers’ leader)
Though his role in the starting 11 has started to take a backseat, the Gers will heavily rely on James Tavernier’s experience.
Tavernier remains the club’s top overall scorer this season with 14 goals across all competitions.
The split is as much about mentality as it is about tactics. Tavernier has been through the highest highs and lowest lows at Ibrox.
He’s already a title-winner at Ibrox, and many of the Rangers players have never played in this type of pressure.
His role may be minimal on the pitch, but Tavernier will be the guy driving high standards on a day-to-day basis.
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Obviously, the likes of Manny Fernandez, Nico Raskin, and Mikey Moore may prove to be the players that get it done.
However, the three players highlighted have the most imperative positions in the team.
Butland needs to be unbreakable, Chermiti must be unstoppable, and Tavernier has the responsibility to get the best out of them.
Who do you think is the most important player for Rangers to win the Premiership?
