Rangers legend Derek Johnstone has claimed that it would be a huge slap in the face for Umar Sadiq if he is not considered to lead the Gers line against Aberdeen in the Scottish League Cup semi-final next month.

The Nigerian, who made the switch to Ibrox on a season-long loan move from Roma in the summer, was not included in the Rangers squad named for their 4-0 win over Ayr United in the quarter-final of the Scottish League Cup on Wednesday.




Sadiq is yet to start a single competitive game for the Gers this season, but will be the only natural centre-forward available for the semi-final against Aberdeen, with Kyle Lafferty cup-tied and Alfred Morelos facing a suspension.

The 21-year-old has been restricted to 25 minutes of playing time for the senior team across all competitions since joining in the summer and will be aiming to make the most of his next chance.
 


Johnstone, who started his senior career at Rangers and spent over a decade at Ibrox, went on to claim that it would be a huge disappointment for the youngster if he is not given a start against Aberdeen next month.

“He has to be looking at the semi-final against Aberdeen, with Kyle Lafferty cup-tied and Alfredo Morelos suspended, as the day he proves himself as a Rangers striker”, Johnstone wrote in his column for the Evening Times.

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“He is the only recognised first team striker available for that game and it would be a huge slap in the face for him if he isn’t considered as the man to lead the line and Rangers go with someone other than a natural centre forward through the middle.

“He has to show the manager in training every day and in all the Reserve games that he plays that he is good enough to start at Hampden next month.

“He has to work hard and get himself in that team”, he added.

Sadiq joined Roma in 2016, but has been loaned out in every subsequent season to attain regular first team involvement elsewhere.