"He was fit but we have a big squad." 

These were the words of Giovanni van Bronckhorst after being asked to explain the absence of Aaron Ramsey from the 1-0 defeat against Braga. 

The Welshman remained with his backside firmly planted to the bench throughout the crucial away leg as an unused substitute. 

It was a single sentence from the Dutch manager and yet one that provoked much intrigue. 

Rationally, it seems obvious that while Ramsey is “fit” and could have played it would similarly be unwise to use a man who is only just returning from myriad frustrating injury set-backs any more than once in a week. 

The manager chose not to go down that road, instead taking a path that provoked widespread scorn amongst supporters who were left bewildered at the suggestion Ramsey wasn’t a more viable option than Scott Arfield on the night. 

And that’s understandable. The idea that an available, £400,000 a week Juventus superstar like Ramsey wouldn’t even be used from the bench in a game of this magnitude is bizarre. 

He was brought in with much fanfare to make a decisive difference in precisely this sort of game. Europa League quarter-finals are surely why this guy is here. To not make use of his experience, quality and goal threat seems extremely odd. 

You wonder if this is an issue of communication for the manager. There has been growing comment over his lack of bombast in press conferences compared to predecessor Steven Gerrard whose weekly jousts with the media were required viewing. Van Bronckhorst is far more considered, measured and yes, slightly dull by comparison.  

Part of this could be communicating in a language not his own, another element will likely be his wise desire to keep media noise to an absolute minimum.  

The Dutchman perhaps didn’t want to see further pressure heaped on Ramsey over his fitness niggles and decided to instead deflect attention onto himself. He might now wish he’d just let others take the flack given the amount of opprobrium that rained down on him in the aftermath of the game. 

If we are to take van Bronckhorst at face value though, there is so much to delve into. 

Are we to expect to see Ramsey in light blue to face St Mirren in a far less important match on Sunday? If so, where does that leave him for the return next Thursday? And what does aforementioned sporting director Wilson make of the use of a player he worked tirelessly to get through the door? 

Some clarity arrived this afternoon courtesy of an interview with Sky Sports.

Van Bronckhorst told them: "He's had a difficult period. He's playing more games lately for us and also for Wales so I'm really happy that Aaron is back and available.

"Of course, we know his qualities. We have a lot of midfield players available now and this is the first game out of two. Next week is going to be starting on Sunday with St Mirren, with the 2nd game of this tie and the cup semi-final following so it's a busy period. Of course, the qualities of Aaron we can use.

"We know his quality. You see what's needed for games and you also have to do your game management and look also a little bit ahead. That's what we're doing right now. Aaron will for sure have his game time."

READ MORE: Joe Aribo's absence and Rangers' overhit crosses: Analysing set-piece struggles in Braga

And so he should. If you bring a Ramsey type to Rangers - he has to play. Most of your chips are on the table, shoved aggressively in to the pot. There’s no point in folding. 

This is especially true given he's scored two goals from midfield, one each against Dundee and Celtic, in recent matches. While the heather's not exactly been set ablaze, he’s still shown flashes of quality and has a respectable scoring ratio in a shot-shy team and is the one player that looks like he’s got the natural ability to drift away from markers. 

It’s clear issues with fitness remain part of the Ramsey conundrum. This is a player building himself back up, and a long way from the finished physical article. It’s safe to assume Rangers thought his journey to action was much less fraught than it’s turned out. 

It’s going to be very interesting to see if the Welsh midfielder is in the team to visit Paisley on Sunday. If there is any doubt about his ability to play twice in five days he should remain a bench warmer because Ramsey will be needed next Thursday at Ibrox. With Roofe struggling to adapt to van Bronckhorst’s system, Sakala so raw and Itten largely written off, he still seems a good bet as the man most likely to put the ball in the net. And goals are needed badly. Anything less than a win and Rangers are out. 

The Europa League is so important to the club given the way the league campaign has unravelled. Reaching the semi-finals would be a remarkable achievement and would stand as testament to the foundations in place despite Premiership woes. 

Domestic pain is always difficult to swallow but fans aren’t stupid. They know the league is gone. It’s in Europe and the Scottish Cup this season can be partially salvaged and the manager can stave off growing discontent over his performance since arriving. 

Rangers do have a big squad, but they don’t have another Aaron Ramsey.  

It’s time to unleash him before it's too late.