A short time ago this afternoon Rangers confirmed the capture of former West Bromwich Albion centre-half Gareth McAuley.
???? #RangersFC can today confirm the signing of Gareth McAuley (@G23mcauley) on a one year deal subject to international clearance.
➡️ https://t.co/IpgtgQw7l6 pic.twitter.com/BeFfIATpCZ
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 3, 2018
The hugely experienced 38-year-old joins us as a free agent after leaving the former Premier League side over the summer, much to the bemusement of many of their fans who thought he could still do a job for them it’s fair to say.
Having moved to the club back in the summer of 2011 he spent seven seasons with West Brom, making 203 appearances for them in the English top-flight and he also boasts international experience for Northern Ireland – 79 caps in total.
He also has a tendency of finding the back of the net from set pieces as he’s helped himself to 42 goals across his career so far.
YAS Gareth ???????? pic.twitter.com/cpgPW7FGly
— Ross (@RossiRM9) September 3, 2018
Good depth and experience, CB cover taken care of the last few days
— Coulibaly Cartel (@CoulibalyCartel) September 3, 2018
The Ulster Davie Weir ????????????
— Commander Bjorkland (@CommanderBjork2) September 3, 2018
Welcome to Rangers ????????????
— Chels (@chelseamacg) September 3, 2018
Welcome to Ibrox big man
— mark hunter (@markharryh) September 3, 2018
Good man, this guy might be advanced in years but he's certainly not finished. Think of David weir. ????????
— Stiff Richard (@DrTropical69) September 3, 2018
Awesome experience for the younger lads to learn from Katic, Worral etc.
— BMac (@Yon_tweeter) September 3, 2018
Superb signing
— Mark (@_Mark_MMA) September 3, 2018
Two names for comparison who didn’t do too badly – Davie Weir and Clint Hill.
— Dougie Jones (@DougJJ1872) September 3, 2018
Great signing, bags of experience and gives us strength in-depth at the CB
— Stephen Swift (@StephenSwift91) September 3, 2018
He obviously completes manager Steven Gerrard’s search for cover in the heart of defence and whilst he might not be a long-term solution in the backline, he should be more than capable of doing a job for us in 2018/19 and his experience and leadership skills should only be an advantage. With Joe Worral coming in as well, we should have good options now moving forward.