Rangers head into the Scottish Cup final today off the back of a soul-wrenching Europa League final defeat on penalties.
The cup final at Hampden Park this afternoon will be the Ibrox club's 65th match of an incredible season which has featured many highs and lows, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst desperate to end the season with a trophy.
Some changes may need to be made to the starting XI ahead of the trip to Hampden, and one move that Van Bronckhorst should make is to start Kemar Roofe.
GvB must unleash Roofe
The Jamaican's second season at Rangers has been markedly different from his debut campaign, where he contributed plentifully as the Gers strolled to the Premiership title. A few niggles and knocks have disrupted any momentum gained during Van Bronckhorst’s tenure, but whenever the 29-year-old does play, he often makes an impact.
Roofe has scored 16 goals this term and netted a hat-trick in his last league appearance against St Mirren, but he offers a different threat to Fashion Sakala.
The Rangers squad will be drained from their efforts in Seville on Wednesday night, and this is where the Jamaican comes in.
Having only just returned from another injury layoff, the ex-Leeds forward should be fresh and ready to start against Hearts today as the Gers looks to claim the Scottish Cup for the first time in 13 years.
Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard dubbed Roofe the “Duracell bunny” due to his impressive work rate, and this is the sort of player Rangers need against the Jam Tarts, especially after the two-hour exertions against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night.
Noel Whelan hailed the £26k-p/w ace as “invaluable” earlier in the season, and looking at his scoring record, there is no doubt that the 29-year-old could be a game-changer if the match turns scrappy today.
Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo are crying out for someone to profit from their excellent creativity, and what grander stage to benefit from that than a domestic cup final at Hampden Park?