Ferguson tips Philippe Clement to axe exit-bound Rangers man for Old Firm clash v Celtic

Barry Ferguson has tipped Rangers manager Philippe Clement to produce a couple of changes in his team selection for the Old Firm clash with Celtic.

The Light Blues make the trip across Glasgow on Saturday (11 May) for the final derby meeting of the Premiership season, knowing they simply have to win to keep their feint title hopes alive for another week.

While most pundits expect Clement to set up in an attacking fashion to claim all three points, Ferguson admits that he expects the Belgian to solidify the middle of the pitch and drop Wolves loanee Fabio Silva to the bench.

Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show (8 May, 21:20) he said: “I think he’ll come up with not a couple of surprises but I’ve got an idea of what I think he will go with.

“I would go with Butland and I would go with Tavernier and Ridvan as the full-backs, Balogun and Souttar if Balogun is fit. Right across the middle, I would go, Lawrence, Lundstram, Sterling, Diomande and Cantwell with Dessers up top.

“I just really think you’ve got to stiffen up the middle of the pitch.”

Will Philippe Clement start Rangers forward Fabio Silva for Old Firm clash v Celtic at Parkhead?

Silva did get back on the scoresheet against Kilmarnock last time out, but most of the discussion around the Portuguese forward centred on his antics following his strike as he seemed to aim his celebration at the home crowd.

Ever since he arrived in Glasgow, the forward has been at the centre of plenty of controversy, with pundits and supporters alike taking aim at the forward for his childish antics both on and off of the field.

Chris Sutton labelled the Wolves loanee a cheat during the last Old Firm derby at Ibrox after he went to the ground under little pressure in the penalty area while John Hartson criticised him for his fall to the floor in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

If Silva could cut these sorts of antics out of his game between now and the end of the season, he could have a major impact in the final weeks of the title race. At this moment in time, however, he isn’t doing enough to garner a starting spot and therefore may drop out.

He is set to leave Glasgow at the end of the season and his loan switch. Now that he is exit-bound, is it worth starting him week in and week out?