Ben Godfrey's Rangers status addressed by Derek McInnes as boss makes his unseen role clear

McInnes backs Godfrey to earn playing time after the Atalanta loanee has managed just 47 minutes since returning from injury in August.

Derek McInnes has praised Ben Godfrey's professionalism at Rangers despite the 28-year-old centre-back struggling for minutes since his loan arrival from Atalanta. Godfrey suffered an injury on the opening day against Dundee United and has been unable to displace Emmanuel Fernandez or Olwethu Makhanya in Rangers' defence, accumulating just 47 minutes from the bench since his return in August.

McInnes insists Godfrey has responded excellently to being left out, training with the intensity of a regular starter and setting a positive example for the squad. The manager believes the former England international's experience and attitude make him a valuable squad member and is confident he will get opportunities to play as Rangers push for silverware.

"His opportunity will come and he's the type of guy that, once he's in the team, I'm sure he'll do everything he can to stay in it," McInnes said. Rangers are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run and have a Premier Sports Cup Final ahead, with Fernandez and Makhanya having formed a solid defensive partnership that has conceded just nine Premier League goals this season.