The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Halliday’s omission questioned by Wylde
Gregg Wylde believes Pedro Caixinha is taking a major gamble by leaving Andy Halliday out of Rangers’ Europa League squad.
The Portuguese boss has given his biggest hint yet that he sees no future for a clutch of his first-team stars after omitting six from the list eligible to face Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn on Thursday.
Defender Rob Kiernan, midfielder Matt Crooks and forwards Michael O’Halloran, Harry Forrester and Joe Dodoo are all missing from the squad submitted to Uefa for the qualifier.
But former Ibrox winger Wylde is most surprised by the snub handed to boyhood Rangers supporter Halliday.
According to reports, the midfielder has been told by Caixinha he is free to leave the club on loan this summer, with the new boss looking to trim down the squad left behind by Mark Warburton after signing eight new recruits.
However Wylde reckons with so many fresh faces trying to adapt to life at Ibrox, Caixinha is taking a chance leaving out a player steeped in the club’s traditions.
He said: “I would have Andy Halliday in my squad, even if he’s not playing and worth only of a place on the bench. That’s because he’s a Rangers man.
“He knows what Rangers standards are and the expectations which will be on the players at this time of year.
“You just have to hope these lads brought in from Portugal and Mexico can get up to speed quickly. The likes of Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller are still there but it’s a massive call from the manager.”