Noel Whelan has suggested Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is wasting the talent of Kemar Roofe by playing him on the wing.

Whelan discusses Gerrard's use of Roofe

Roofe signed for Rangers last summer from Anderlecht. Despite being a natural striker, he has played the majority of his games on the left or right flank this term as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan believes Gerrard should play the £5.4m-valued 28-year-old (Transfermarkt) more centrally. He explained when asked whether Roofe would prefer to play through the middle:

"Yeah, I believe so.

"He came to Leeds as a winger and that was his position pretty much, for a long time he was out wide.

"I just think you get more benefit and his movement is much more effective in that central area, he’s alive, he makes great runs in behind and those little diagonal runs.

"I feel that he’s very regimented out wide, there’s not much movement from him, they miss that quick movement getting in behind.

"Those little quick balls in between defenders, he’s very static out there for a player like Kemar Roofe, his movement is exceptional in and around the box and to have him out wide. Yeah, it does seem a little bit of a waste.

"But if you asked Roofe if he’d rather be on the bench or on the wing, he’ll tell you the answer."

Actually performed well on the flanks

Roofe shone at Leeds as a striker before moving to Belgium, where he managed seven goals in 16 games before making the switch to Scotland. However, while he has played in the unfamiliar role of a winger for much of the campaign, he has actually done rather well, netting 10 goals in 13 games in that role.

With Alfredo Morelos being the number one striker for Gerrard right now, it is hard for Roofe to nail down a starting spot as a central striker unless there is a change in formation. If the Colombia international were to leave in the summer, Roofe may be one of the biggest beneficiaries.

In other news, Rangers are delighted with this 20/21 news.