I'm sure Patrick Stewart has bulging Rangers in-tray but clock is rapidly ticking on No 1 priority - Barry Ferguson

I’m sure Patrick Stewart has got a stack of jobs sitting in his in-tray needing addressed.

But the new Rangers CEO needs to set them aside for the next few days and focus on finding Philippe Clement a new centre-back … and quick. Because there is absolutely no doubt that is the No1 priority at Ibrox heading into next week’s Old Firm clash.

Rangers were already skating on thin ice when it came to fit defenders after yet another flurry of winter knocks. So to see Leon Balogun pull up at St Mirren the other night as he joined John Souttar and Nana Kasanwirjo on the crocks list was a huge blow just a week out from that January 2 showdown with Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic. The defeat in Paisley was bad enough as it derailed the positive steps taken by Clement’s side over the past six weeks. But it could have more painful repercussions if big Leon fails to recover in time for the derby.

The squad was already down to the bare bones at the back as it was, so finding some fresh cover is now an imperative. The clock is ticking rapidly towards Celtic’s trip across the city. They don’t have time to waste, so Stewart and sporting director Nils Koppen are going to have to get their heads together and work out a way to recruit a new defender as soon as the window opens on the 1st.

Clement will know the dangers of failing to do so. He was forced to throw Dujon Sterling and Robin Propper together in Paisley the other night and paid a price as the unfamiliar pairing were undone at the death.

I’m a big fan of Sterling and thought he did well against Saints until that late slip - but that’s the sort of thing that happens when you are forced to cobble a partnership together at the last minute. I’ve seen it suggested that Clement should look to