LENS, FRANCE - APRIL 22: Coach of Monaco Philippe Clement answers to the media during the post-match press conference following the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between RC Lens (RCL) and AS Monaco (ASM) at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on April 22, 2023 in Lens, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
The Portuguese striker is not playing in this afternoon’s Kilmarnock match.
According to Philippe Clement, Fabio Silva is still getting used to his Rangers colleagues’ style of play.
The manager stated on the team website this afternoon that this is the reason he has not chosen the Portuguese to start the team’s opening game of the new year, which is at home against Kilmarnock. In an attempt to find a new attacking option, Silva signed on loan from Wolves for the remainder of the season, and he was placed straight on the bench.
But the Belgian boss hinted he could be willing to give him some minutes as a baptism of fire should he have the opportunity to do so.
Clement responded, “For the future, of course,” when asked how crucial it is to have Silva and Nico Raskin on hand. “Fabio has only participated in one of the team’s two training sessions, so he is still unfamiliar with his colleagues’ styles of play. It’s great that he’s already in the building so we can use the training camp to help him become more automatic and acclimated to the way we play. As an attacking player, those are crucial qualities.
“Maybe he’ll get minutes today.”
Clement continued, “Nico is coming off a long-term injury so we can’t expect miracles from him,” in reference to Raskin’s comeback following a two-month absence. We’ll see, but he was bright, so perhaps he’s ready in 15 or 20 minutes.”
