Rangers midfielder Aaron Ramsey was an unused substitute as the Bears lost the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Braga last night.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst confirmed after the game that the Wales international was fit, and fans on Twitter have been left scratching their heads as to why the former Arsenal star didn’t feature in the 1-0 defeat:
He’s lost the plot
— _Stu_ (@Stu_man_do) April 7, 2022
I just can’t get my head around that one!
— Dean (@deanomac55) April 7, 2022
That’s Le Guen style mismanagement.
A genuinely world class midfielder and he leaves him sat on the bench in one of the biggest games the club has had in year.
— Amato86 (@Amato861) April 7, 2022
Absolutely baffling. Missing our top striker and struggling for goals, so he drops the attacking mid that has scored in our last two games, for a European quarter-final… am I losing my marbles here or is that insane?
— Joey Muir (@JoeyMuir24) April 7, 2022
Writing’s on the wall for Gio. Beat next week in Europe then I can see Celtic giving us a doing in the cup and at Parkhead. He’s not got the character or tactical nouse to be Rangers manager.
— DelTrotter (@DelTrotter9) April 7, 2022
Absolutely baffling! pic.twitter.com/GKCZucXQul
— Bob Steele (@BobSteele55) April 7, 2022
Absolutely baffling thinking Kamara as a 10 and Arfield are better options than a fully fit Aaron Ramsey – I just can’t understand that thought process 🤷♂️
— Ross B (@RossBryce) April 7, 2022
Biggest game left in our season and he decides not to play the most naturally talented player in the squad and arguably the our biggest goal threat. Wtf?!!
— Andrew Darroch (@Andy1673) April 7, 2022
Let’s wait until after the second leg before we judge. Tonight was about keeping things tight. I expect Ramsey to play at Ibrox.#WATP
— D Max (@DMax83612565) April 8, 2022
It was a pretty strange decision by van Bronckhorst. Surely Ramsey was brought to the club to make a difference in these types of games?
After creating some early chances, the Gers started to struggle in the final third of the pitch as the game wore on, and they were crying out for the creativity of someone like Ramsey.
However, it may well be the case that van Bronckhorst was playing the long game with Ramsey. His fitness record is poor and playing him twice in the space of four days may not have been wise. It will be interesting to see whether he starts against St Mirren this weekend.