Pedro Caixinha came into Rangers last season with a strong idea about what kind of team he wanted to field at Ibrox. He didn't waste any time putting that into action this summer, shipping out last year's established first-team stars and bringing in his own players.

Some of those signings have worked out well so far, like the goalscoring Alfredo Morelos, but others have left a lot to be desired. One such signing is Portuguese defender Fabio Cardoso, who has been implanted as one of the side's starting centre-backs in the early part of the season. However, the Light Blues have conceded seven goals in their last five matches and going forward questions are now being asked about Caixinha's defensive line.

One potential solution is teenager Ross McCrorie, who was called upon to defend against Celtic recently despite having never started a match before. The 19-year-old didn't look out of the place in the Rangers first team and that breakthrough performance could be the catalyst needed for him to become a regular in Caixinha's starting eleven.

Here are three reasons why...

His first half display vs Celtic

Throwing a teenager into his first Rangers start at Ibrox is always a big deal, but when you do it against Celtic in a notorious derby then it's a massive test, especially when you consider the attacking talent the Hoops have available to them right now. Ross McCrorie acquitted himself well for the most part, even if he will take massive lessons from the two goals conceded by the Rangers defence.

In the first half especially he dealt with the threat of Leigh Griffiths well, at point putting in the excellent sliding tackle pictured above to dig the ball out from under the striker's feet. It was a glimpse into his potential as an excellent centre-back for the Light Blues going forward.

If he can deal with this fixture in a professional and composed manner then he should have no problem facing other sides in the Scottish Premiership and with more senior games to his name, he can only get better.

Cardoso has been unconvincing so far

Fabio Cardoso has had games where he's looked comfortable and assured at the back, but errors have crept into his game and the jury is out on whether he should be a long-term pick at centre-back this season. Against Hibernian he conceded an awful own goal in a match the Light Blues lost and against Celtic last weekend he was at least partly at fault for both goals.

There were many culpable for Tom Rogic's opener that day, Ross McCrorie included, but Cardoso was the experience head at the back there and should have done better to clear.

For the second goal, while Leigh Griffiths ran in behind McCrorie, the youngster was correctly watching Patrick Roberts' dribble and Cardoso was the one who should have seen the Scotland international make his move beyond the defensive line.

The 23-year-old may have a part to play ahead of the likes of Danny Wilson, but McCrorie is a potential star and Pedro Caixinha must invest the game time into his talent.

McCrorie learning from Alves is great for Rangers and Scotland

With Bruno Alves at the club right now, Rangers have a unique opportunity to impart his knowledge on one of their best defensive prospects for years. Ross McCrorie has a lot of learning to do and there is barely a player out there who can help with that than Alves.

Playing alongside the Portuguese legend could do wonders for his game. Alves has won countless trophies and excelled at the top level of club football and at the pinnacle of international football. That trophy-laden past and defensive experience can help McCrorie grow for both Rangers and Scotland going forward.

Rangers fans have seen in the past players like Davie Weir bring on youngsters and this time it could be a partnership that works to even greater effect.