Derek McInnes has backed Ben Godfrey to make his mark at Rangers, insisting the on-loan defender's opportunity will arrive despite limited game time so far. The 28-year-old, signed on loan from Atalanta with an option to buy next summer, has played just 47 minutes from the bench since returning from injury in August.
Godfrey's patience praised after injury setback
Godfrey picked up an injury on the opening night of the season against Dundee United at Tannadice and lost his place in the side. Now fully fit, the former Everton centre-back has been unable to dislodge Emmanuel Fernandez or Olwethu Makhanya at the heart of Rangers' defence.
McInnes has praised the defender's response to being left out, describing him as exactly the type of character the club needs. The manager is adamant that if Godfrey bides his time, he will eventually get the opportunity to play and nail down a starting slot again.
McInnes: 'His opportunity will come'
Speaking about Godfrey's professionalism, McInnes said: "Ben has been as good as gold about the place. With his pedigree, he came here to play, like all the boys. But you're not going to be able to keep everybody happy."
The manager added: "I can only keep 11 really happy on any given Saturday. But the squad is important and Ben knows that. He's been around the block enough times to know that he's got to be ready when he comes in."
Attitude and influence at Ibrox
McInnes highlighted Godfrey's training approach as a key influence on the squad: "The way he trains every day gives himself the best chance. And the other players look up to that. They look at his career but also how he trains every day. There's no slacking off because he's not getting a game."
The manager continued: "He trains as if he's playing every week and that's not easy when you know you're probably not. It's important that he does that and bears that influence. Because he's another one of an age that we don't have enough of in the starting 11."
Key role despite limited minutes
Godfrey has played 47 minutes from the bench since returning from injury against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in August. Fernandez and Makhanya have formed a solid partnership that has seen Rangers concede just nine goals in the Premiership so far this term.
McInnes remains convinced Godfrey will prove an astute signing and revealed the defender is enjoying his stint in Glasgow: "Initially, Ben was a big signing for us and I was excited by it. The signings of him, Dan Neil and Ross McCrorie were well down the line when I got the job."
He added: "Ben had lost his way a bit but when you speak to managers who have worked with him, then get a chance to work with him yourself, you see his attributes. He played a bounce game here against Dundee a couple of weeks ago and he treated it like a cup final."
Rangers are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run with a Premier Sports Cup Final to look forward to. McInnes concluded: "He epitomises what you want in the squad. The team can only be as strong as the squad behind it. He trains right, he's popular with the lads and he's just a good type, a good sort. He's loving it at Rangers. He just wants to be part of it and he wants to get more minutes on the pitch which is the challenge for him now."
