The transfer window remains in it’s infancy, however, Rangers continue to be linked with a series of strikers to support the efforts of Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe.
One name which refuses to go away is that of Rhian Brewster and former Premier League striker, Noel Whelan (speaking to Football Insider), feels that the Gers have the edge when it comes to enticing the Liverpool youngster.
So what has Whelan said?
When asked if he thinks that a move to Ibrox would be good for the forward’s development, he said:
“I do, I do. I think you’ve got to be careful with a 20-year-old striker anyway, I think you’ve got to manage them.
“You’ve got to get them used to the Scottish Premiership – it’s completely different, it really is. It’s a little bit more hit and run, probably a bit less football played because you’re coming up against teams that don’t have the players that Rangers and Celtic do in terms of that ability on the ball.
“He’s going to have to get used to that but yeah, absolutely. The thing is Steven Gerrard knows this player from his time at Liverpool anyway so he’s got that added advantage. He knows how to manage young players, he’s been one himself and he’ll definitely make him feel more comfortable because he knows him.”
So is Whelan correct?
Brewster wouldn’t have the sole responsibility of having to carry the burden of expectation in such an important season, however, when he is called upon – if he signs – his contribution will be judged by the number of goals he scores, regardless of his age and experience.
Scoring winning goals against the likes of Hamilton and Ross County is just as important when the margins for error are so small – Celtic dropped points in just four games in 2019/20 – Defoe, in the absence of Morelos after the winter break, was on a decent run of goalscoring form even if the team was far from its fluid best and Brewster would be expected to play a similar supporting role in these games.
Playing in high pressure games in front of 50,000 fans every other weeks would serve as the best finishing school – so to speak – and would reveal more about his temperament than another spell in the Championship, if the Gerrard factor is enough to get the deal over the line, Rangers could finally have the balanced forward line that has been missing for the last couple of seasons.