The international break has given Philippe Clement a chance time to ponder where Rangers are and where they are heading. The damage done with an Old Firm defeat cannot be repaired in one 90 minutes but the meeting with Dundee United on Sunday cannot be underestimated in terms of its importance.

The Belgian does not have his problems to seek right now. A deficit of five points to Celtic leaves Rangers under major pressure in the title race and questions have been asked of key figures in the boardroom and the dressing room after a run that has seen ground lost at Tynecastle and Parkhead and a Champions League exit suffered.

Read more:

Clement has insisted that his side will be a better version of themselves come October. The four fixtures in September carry their own significance, though. Before the matches with Dundee, Malmo and Hibernian can be focused on, Rangers need to get through their trip to Tannadice. Here, the Rangers Review looks at Clement's main considerations as he bids to get back to winning ways on Tayside.

Make a big call on his captain

Much of the conversation over the break has focused on James Tavernier. The skipper was confronted by supporters as he left Ibrox after the Celtic defeat and it is not just his place in the team that is now up for debate. Speculation over his future at the club permeated the summer window and still surfaced again this week amid reports of further interest from Turkey and new interest from Qatar.

At 32, Tavernier is past his best for Rangers. Clement has admitted that the right-back has been played too regularly by previous managers as he has been relied upon time after time over several seasons. Those endeavours look to have caught up with Tavernier this term.

He has yet to score in his seven appearances and has two assists – in the Premiership wins over Motherwell and Ross County – to his credit. His performances have left a lot to be desired, though, and he has looked short of fitness, sharpness and confidence throughout the season.

On form, Tavernier does not merit a start. It would be a big call for Clement to drop his captain but the armband should not keep a player in the side when he does not deserve it. The deliberation for Clement is whether Tavernier is a help or a hindrance right now.

"It's part of being captain," Clement said when asked about the criticism directed at his skipper. "I have to say he takes it really maturely and he's very motivated to get really good results in the next couple of months and to get the love back of everybody in the club. The love from a lot of people is still there. Some people were very, very disappointed after the Celtic game which we can understand because we were also."

Whatever decision the boss makes, it will not be a universally approved one. Fans on both sides of the Tavernier debate are entrenched in their positions. Clement has the biggest and final say. His captain call will be an intriguing and defining one either way.

Does Kasanwirjo get a debut?

The decision over Tavernier could influence the situation with Neraysho Kasanwirjo. The Dutchman primarily operates at centre-back but a change on the right of the defence could see him utilised as Tavernier’s deputy.

If Clement wishes to keep Dujon Sterling in midfield, then Kasanwirjo is the obvious alternative at right-back. It is more likely, though, that Sterling goes in to replace Tavernier if that decision is made.

It is expected that Kasanwirjo will be a central option more often than not for Clement. He was brought in on loan from Feyenoord following the departure of Ben Davies to Birmingham City and Rangers have an option to make the switch permanent at the end of the campaign.

Robin Propper moved to Ibrox this summer (Image: SNS)

The pairing of Robin Propper and John Souttar is the preferred one for Clement at present but neither were impressive performers at Parkhead. Propper in particular did not have the sort of impact that was expected or required on his Old Firm debut and the Rangers back four still looks susceptible. It does not inspire confidence for supporters heading into this run of fixtures.

Kasanwirjo started at centre-back in the Eredivisie draw with Willem II last month. After being left out against PEC Zwolle, he came off the bench for the final 22 minutes against Sparta Rotterdam. He should be fit to go if called upon and made the bench at Parkhead.

It would be a surprise if Clement opted to ditch Propper or Souttar on the back of the derby defeat. At some point, Kasanwirjo needs a run-out so fans can see what Rangers have invested in.

Find a place to start Bajrami

Clement has been careful with his new recruits this term and has opted not to pitch them straight in without time to settle in Glasgow. He should, however, go against that pattern on Sunday and give Bajrami a debut at the first opportunity. A team that needs a spark and support that needs a pick-me-up would benefit from the fresh impetus of a new face.

Now is not the moment for Clement to be conservative. Yes, Bajrami will be short of time with his teammates and will be unfamiliar with the Belgian’s system. But a player with his experience and price tag should be able to put in an hour against a newly promoted team. Let Bajrami try and influence proceedings from the off rather than potentially being asked to salvage the situation in the event that things are not going in Clement's favour.

The Albanian made three appearances for Sassuolo before forcing his move to Ibrox on deadline day. An outlay of more than £3million represented a significant bit of late business for Rangers and Clement needs his final arrival of the window to make an instant impact.

"It doesn't help, of course, if you don't know even the names of your teammates when you need to start the game," Clement said on Friday. "He's just in the building. But we will see. It depends on the circumstances also. So, I will make the decision after the training [on Saturday]."

The berth on the right side of the forward line will be occupied by Vaclav Cerny. The other flank has no name pencilled in and could offer a spot for Bajrami to start. That is where he featured for his nation in the win over Ukraine last week.

A place at No.10 looks the more likely position for Bajrami. So much has been said and written about Clement’s options in that area of the field and Bajrami must be the solution to a long-standing problem. Tom Lawrence is not a week-to-week answer and Mohamed Diomande has not convinced when played further forward. There is pressure on Bajrami to deliver.

Solve the left-side problem

The Rangers Review revealed last week that Rabbi Matondo faces up to two months out of action after sustaining a hamstring injury in the early stages of the Old Firm defeat. The Welshman played on after pulling up and was eventually replaced by Ross McCausland. He was withdrawn from the Wales squad for their fixtures during the break and will now be absent during a crucial run of domestic and European outings at Ibrox.

It leaves Clement with an issue on the left wing. His system relies so much on having natural pace and width at the top end of the pitch but he has rarely been able to field a side with players who have those qualities. The news that McCausland suffered a knock on international duty was another headache for Clement but it is not thought to be a serious issue.

Read more:

The easiest solution would be to slot Oscar Cortes back into that berth. The Colombian hasn’t featured since the opening day draw at Tynecastle and only returned to training late last month. Even if Cortes is fit to make the squad on Sunday, he will surely be short of sharpness.

"Oscar is in a really positive way," Clement said at his pre-match press conference. "So, he played 60 minutes against Motherwell. And you see him week by week growing to the level that he was before. And that we know what is a good level. So, that's very positive."

If everyone was available and ready to go, then Jefte would be a popular choice in that role. He has looked effective when utilised in attack this term, but he has deputised for the injured Ridvan Yilmaz of late. If Jefte is moved up a line, youngster Robbie Fraser will need to come in at full-back given that Yilmaz is not yet fit to feature. That would be a show of faith in both players.

Three points is a must

Whatever plan Clement comes up with or selection calls he makes, this is the non-negotiable for him and his side. Rangers simply must win at Tannadice. A performance alongside the points would give supporters reasons to be heartened but a victory is the only thing that really matters as Rangers look to build some momentum after a stop-start opening period this term.

If the gap across the Old Firm divide was to grow any wider, it would be a long, long way back for Clement’s side. The next derby takes place in January at Ibrox and the Belgian cannot afford to be any further back than he already is by the time that fixture comes around.

Clement is yet to come out on top in an Old Firm (Image: PA)

A run of 18 wins from his first 20 matches in charge last year will be a source of confidence for Clement and, for him, act as proof of what can be achieved. Rangers now need to produce a similar sequence if they are to convince supporters, and perhaps even convince themselves, that they can be challengers this term. If they can do that, then they will have further questions to answer about their potential to be champions. All of that is for further down the line.

"I was very determined when I stepped in and there's no difference in that way," Clement said. "I know the challenge is even much bigger than it was last season. That I know. But I chose that also. I had the choice to make in the summer to do that or not. I love it here. I love the challenge also. It's a massive challenge. But with all my body, my mind, with everything, I want to go for that."

The comments and criticisms that have followed the Old Firm loss will come back once again, and be amplified, should Rangers fail to see off United. At a time when so many find themselves in the firing line, Rangers cannot afford to shoot themselves in the foot once again. This is one of the biggest games of Clement’s reign.