Former Rangers full-back, Alan Hutton, feels that his old club could pull off a real coup if they were able to get the signature of Curtis Jones secured.
Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton hopes that the Steven Gerrard factor can entice the youngster north of the border from Liverpool.
So what has Hutton said?
When asked about the recent speculation linking Jones with a move to Rangers, he said:
“I think it’d be an unbelievable signing, to be honest. He’s come through the ranks at Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp obviously trusts him, he’s put him into some decent size games.
“You can see he’s a classy player, always in control of the ball, finding space, head on a swivel. These are the type of players Gerrard can attract.
“For Rangers moving forward, these are the calibre of player – even though he’s so young you can tell that he’s a quality player – these are the players Rangers need to push on I think and match Celtic.”
So is Hutton correct?
Absolutely, Gers fans may be reticent about dipping into the Liverpool academy once again after the flop signings of Ovie Ejaria and Sheyi Ojo but Jones is in a different category altogether.
The difference, as Hutton rightly says, is that he is seen as a long-term prospect at Anfield and a player that can make a genuine impact on the first team rather than one who would be shipped out on loan to get senior game time and exposure in the shop window.
Gerrard’s squad is considerably better than the one he inherited and he also has a few academy players of his own that will soon be making the step up, as a result he will be looking at loan signings that – like Ianis Hagi – will improve the starting XI or – like Florian Kamberi – fill a gap or area of weakness.
Jones is the sort of creative influence that could provide the attacking impetus that was so desperately missing after the winter break and ultimately, cost them their title challenge, he would be an exciting signing but will need back-up if Rangers are to finally prove that the gap has been closed.