Clarke shows Celtic colours again as he boots out Rangers man | OneFootball

Now of course, before we go on, there is a slight caveat to this piece, in that Rangers’ deputy stopper Liam Kelly hasn’t played a minute since rejoining Ibrox in the summer.

He came home, well aware Jack Butland was by a distance number one in Govan, and Kelly despite saying he would fight for his place, and despite Butland’s form not exactly being anything amazing, has had to make to do with the bench.

Philippe Clement has already confirmed Butland is effectively the most important player in his team, with what he said in the summer.

However, when Angus Gunn was injured for the national side this upcoming break, who was it Steve Clarke chose to replace him? Certainly not Rangers-playing Kelly, but instead goal-leaking Craig Gordon, back as number one at Hearts, having shipped 17 goals in 10 appearances and having won just once.

He is also 41.

Now, we admit he’s closer to match fitness than Kelly, but with all due respect, goalkeeper is the position on the pitch in which fitness is least important – and we all know that Rangers-‘loving’ Clarke would dump Kelly from the national side as soon as he joined Rangers.

And he has.

Kelly hasn’t had a call up since he joined Rangers, but the coach chooses a wrecked 41-year-old instead? A man who is leaking goals left right and centre?

Admittedly he only played once for Scotland, but before he was at Ibrox Kelly was a regular deputy or third choice for the national side, always getting the call from Clarke.

Now? Not a chance, he moved to Rangers.

What would you rather on your bench, a 28-year-old who never plays but has a clear CV of being solid, or a broken 41-year-old old who’s let in goals constantly this season?

It’s not a great choice but we’d reckon the younger model.

Not that we’re biased…