Is Wylde The Missing Piece Of The Jigsaw

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You would need to go back years since Rangers last had an established left-midfielder who was a regular feature in the position every week. Many have tried and failed, some have tried and did okay, but nobody since the former Scotland winger Neil McCann has really made the position their own. Under the current Rangers bo s, a number of players have been tried and tested out in that position like Steven Whittaker, DaMarcus Beasley, Steven Naismith James Johnson Jersey , Kyle Lafferty and Lee McCulloch. In the McLeish era, Shota Arveladze and Peter Lovenkrands had brief spells out in the wider-areas, but generally, it has been a problem position for the Gers.Lafferty and Naismith have been featured at left-midfield under SmithIbrox was given a minor breath of fresh-air back in December when trailing Hearts 1-0 with just under 5 minutes remaining. Youngster Gregg Wylde stepped on to the pitch for only the second time in the first-team and made a telling impact in a short space of time. With the game seemingly heading for Hearts victory, Wylde installed a fresh burst of energy and pace into a lacklustre performance giving the Hearts right-back Jason Thomson something to think about. Although, he didnt really have time to think about much as Wyldes explosive pace was too much for the full-back who managed to lift a few bums off seats in the final few minutes. This increase in momentum was telling enough as Kevin Thomsons shot was deflected into the path of Jason Kidd Jersey  Andrew Little who bundled home a dramatic late equaliser.Since then, we havent seen much of the 19-year-old in the first-team but the Under 19s regular travelled with the squad for pre-season in Australia after a summer that has seen a number of established players leaving Boban Marjanovic Jersey , including DaMarcus Beasley and Nacho Novo who were both capable of playing in that position. The line-up for the first game of the season against Kilmarnock is quite easy to predict until you get to the left-midfield position. A gap is there, a clear gap to be honest but with Rangers financial woes it is unlikely Walter Smith will get to add many players to an already threadbare squad.Step forward, young Gregg Wylde.Wylde In Action For GersWhenever Wyldes name is mentioned, its usually around a sense of excitement and mystery as to whether he will make the step-up to the Rangers side. In the last few weeks, Ive heard many descriptions of the youngsters with many of them referring to his rapid acceleration and ability to breeze past players. What also helps, to an extent, is that Wylde is a naturally left-footed player and would slot comfortably into that position. Last season, we saw Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith shoe-horned into that position, quite unfairly, in my opinion. Both players are central striker, even Walter knows this  surely its time for someone else to get a chance? Even  Josh Reaves Jersey Steven Smith, a natural left-back, has played in the left-midfield position a number of times, despite contributing next-to-nothing, he would continue to retain his place in the side for a run of games.The days of spending millions  Jalen Brunson Jersey on players are long gone at Ibrox. The club hasnt signed a player in two years and to be honest, Im not utterly convinced that this tag will be removed. It would be fair to say that in the current squad under Smiths guidance, there will be two contenders for that position: Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith. As a dark horse, I think Wylde fully deserves the chance to start the upcoming pre-season games and the league opener against Kilmarnock, and perhaps, the promise of blooding youth players might be delivered.