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Steven Gerrard 'performs U-turn on Matt Polster exit plans'

Steven Gerrard 'performs U-turn on Matt Polster exit plans'
© Reuters
It was expected the USA international would join the Ibrox boss' mini January clear-out.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has called off plans to farm out Matt Polster, the PA news agency understands.

It was expected the USA international would join the Ibrox boss' mini January clear-out after struggling to break into the Light Blues line-up.

But the 26-year-old is now set to resurrect his Gers career having played his way back into Gerrard's plans with an impressive substitute display against Hearts on Sunday.

While there was disappointment for the Rangers manager as his team slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Tynecastle, Gerrard was encouraged by Polster's performance – just his fifth appearance of the season – after he replaced Jon Flanagan at half-time.

And it is understood the American has now jumped ahead of the former Liverpool full-back and will get the nod to start against Ross County at Ibrox on Wednesday night.

Flanagan has acted as skipper James Tavernier's understudy since following his old Anfield team-mate Gerrard to Glasgow 18 months ago.

But with Tavernier still out for around another week as he recovers from appendix surgery, the Ibrox boss wants to give Polster his chance against the Staggies having seen the former Chicago Fire man offer a better attacking threat down the right flank than Flanagan.

Livingston were credited with an interest in taking Polster on loan for the remainder of the season but while Gerrard has allowed Eros Grezda, Andy King and Jamie Murphy to depart this month, it now appears Polster will be going nowhere.

Speaking at Tuesday's press conference, assistant boss Gary McAllister said: "I would agree that Matt did very well when he came on the pitch.

"I thought he showed a bravery to get on the ball, and in possession I thought he used the ball very well.

"So yeah, he's got a good chance."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
CCeltic550095306593
2RangersRangers531187325585
3Hearts513154421268
4Kilmarnock51224644256
5St Mirren51134652-647
6Dundee50144968-1942
Relegation Group
1Aberdeen54104852-448
2Hibernian52125259-746
3Motherwell52035659-343
4St Johnstone51132954-2535
5Ross County51223867-2935
RLivingston52122970-4125
 
First Phase
CCeltic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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