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Van Bronckhorst may have given sign that 29-year-old player’s time at Rangers is coming to an end – TBR View

Chris Cherry

Mon 21 February 2022 15:45, UK

Kemar Roofe was an unused substitute yesterday as Rangers again dropped points on the road, drawing 1–1 with Dundee United.

This latest omission suggests Roofe is out of favour under Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and his time at Ibrox may be nearing the end despite being contracted until 2024.

Rangers 30chances on the Utd goal but only managed to hit the target three times. It was a frustrating day as several chances were squandered. Poor decision making, poor refereeing decisions, and a lack of killer instinct in the box added to the troubles.

Rangers away woes continue

Rangers had dispatched German giants Borussia Dortmund 4–2 during the week in a shock but deserved result. A tough game at Tannadice was expected but fans were confident after the teams performance a few days earlier. Rangers had been ruthless in Germany, scoring four of their five shots on target.

However, Sunday was the polar opposite as Rangers showed no cutting edge. The Scottish Champions have now gone away games since the winter break without victory.

Rangers trailed from a set-piece goal, a regular occurrence recently that needs urgent addressing. Rangers dominated the proceedings, and the game was largely played in and around the Dundee United box. Several chances were cleared inches from the Utd goal, and Benjamin Siegrist and his defence put in a resolute performance.

Van Bronckhorst substituted defender Filip Helander and Scott Arfield and brought on Amad Diallo, and Fashion Sakala as Rangers looked to go attack heavy in search of a comeback.

Rangers found the equaliser through Joe Aribo but couldn’t manage to grab the vital goal to secure the three points. Rangers draw and Celtic’s victory over Dundee leaves the Gers three points behind in the title race and with an inferior goal difference.

No room for error in title race

Before yesterday, it was believed every game would likely need to be won to secure the title, now it is even more evident. There is no more room for error and Rangers need to sort their away issues. The drop in standard domestically since the return from the winter break has been catastrophic. Rangers are in real trouble of handing Celtic the league and subsequent Champions League windfall. It would be a sore pill to swallow given it has been Rangers brilliant European displays in recent years that have improved the coefficient and given Scotland the chance of an automatic spot among the elite.

Roofe should have featured – TBR View

With yesterday’s game being played in and around the Utd goal, it was blatantly obvious Kemar Roofe was the ideal player to introduce to the game. Roofe has had his , they are well documented, but he was absent from the Dortmund squad so was fresh and he is arguably the most natural finisher at the club, he would likely have converted one of Rangers chances yesterday.

It has become apparent that Giovanni Van Bronckhorst does not fancy Kemar Roofe. He has been an unused substitute for the last three domestic Rangers games, Hearts, Hibs, and Dundee Utd. He never made the squad midweek against Borussia Dortmund and has only started one game under GVB.

Kemar Roofe was Rangers top scorer with 14 goals, second in the league to Odsonne Edouard. He has an 29 goals in 61 games, a great goal to games record for a player who doesn’t often start matches and is often deployed right of a front three as opposed to through the middle like his time at Anderlecht and Leeds.

Roofe’s time at Rangers under GVB appears to be coming to an end and he will likely leave this summer. He has never really fit into this Rangers side, failing to cement a place in his time at the club. His injury worries are an obvious concern, they have been since he was rumoured to be signing but no one can argue with his goal return for the club, he has been clinical — something Rangers lacked at Tannadice.