Steven Gerrard has told Umar Sadiq to think again if he believes he is guaranteed to get his Rangers chance against Aberdeen in the Betfred Cup semi-finals.
Rangers will have to take on the Dons at Hampden next month without either of their top two frontmen, with Alfredo Morelos banned and Kyle Lafferty cup-tied.
Roma loanee Sadiq is the only other recognised centre-forward in the Ibrox first-team squad but so far he has failed to make an impression on his manager.
Gerrard made no secret of his frustration with the Nigerian after Wednesday’s quarter-final win over Ayr as he pleaded for Sadiq, who has racked up just 26 minutes of action since moving to Glasgow, to “join the party”.
Now he admits the 21-year-old has to improve on “everything” if he wants to be a contender to face Derek McInnes’ team.
Gerrard warned: “Competition for places is very tough all over the pitch, not just in the number nine position, so Umar’s got to fight.
“He’s come in as a young boy. I think he’s settled in well enough. I think everybody at Rangers has done everything they can and the fans have got behind him.
“But the reality is – and there is no secret in any position – you have got to fight and show myself and my staff that you’re worthy of game minutes.
“It can’t just be given to you, not at a club like this.
“So it’s over to Umar, the ball is in his court. He has the chance and the opportunity to impress all of us on a daily basis.
“But you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work out that he is going to have to improve if he is to earn some game time.
“(The semi-final) is a fantastic opportunity but just because he is the one of the number nines we have got and two are not available, it doesn’t mean he is going to feature. You have to earn the right.”
Gerrard is looking for a new striking solution for the Dons after Morelos once again failed to keep a lid on his temper.
The striker, who was sent off in the Europa League play-offs against Ufa after a furious outburst at the match officials, lost his cool once more as he let rip at referee Bobby Madden during the last-eight romp against Ayr.
It was his second caution of the competition after he was booked in the last round against Ayr, ruling him out of the semi-final showdown.
But Gerrard is prepared to cut his top scorer some slack while he continues to terrify opposition defences.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Livingston, he said: “I’ll take responsibility for it because I played him, so if anyone’s to blame it’s me.
“He’s the reason why we are in the semi-final. He scored a goal the other night, he got a hat-trick against Kilmarnock.
“We can’t praise him and love him and appreciate him being here then when he makes a mistake because he’s a human being lambaste him in the press.
“My view hasn’t changed on the player, I’m a big fan and I’m glad he’s here, I’m delighted he’s signed a new deal.
“We’ll try to get the job done without him in the last four although it obviously becomes a lot more difficult with Lafferty cup-tied but we’ve still got good players and will have a game plan that hopefully works on the day.”
