Steven Gerrard spoke about not resting on their laurels after winning the Scottish Premiership title last season, sometimes a task easier said than done.
John Lundstram, Fashion Sakala and Juninho Bacuna were added to the squad in the summer and the early signs are that they will each bring something different to the table, however, this doesn’t mean that Rangers recruitment department will stand still, as suggested by recent rumours linking us with Joe Rothwell.
The Blackburn midfielder is soon to be available on a pre-contract agreement and, speaking to Football Insider, former Ger, Alan Hutton, reckons that he would be a good acquisition:
“He was obviously one of the standout performers last season at Blackburn.
“It doesn’t surprise me that they’re keeping an eye on him. They could go and try and pull the trigger early doors before January to try and get something over the line before any other team comes in…
“I know there will obviously be more than Rangers that are keeping an eye on his situation. It’s the way Rangers are, the way Steven Gerrard is.
“He never wants to stand still, he always wants to move forward. Get the next player through the door that can enhance the team he’s already got.
“At a big club, there’s always going to be competition for places. That’s just the way it is and every player knows that.
“It’s yet another new face but hopefully it’s not just about numbers, it’s about adding quality.”
Hutton is right, it’s never about just adding numbers, every player in the squad has to be trusted to do a job when they are called upon with Ross Wilson continuously planning for the future and every eventuality.
For all that we are well stocked for midfielders just now, Scott Arfield and Steven Davis are out of contract at the and of the season and, as yet, we have no idea what the long-term future holds for Ryan Jack and Nnamdi Ofoborh.
There is no perfect time to buy or sell players, football isn’t a computer game, Rangers won’t be able to pick and choose who to sell and will have to make decisions based on what offers come in, however, signing players on pre-contract deals are about being in the right place at the right time and being pro-active.
Rothwell is a good player and will not be short of offers, however, we’ve beaten off Premier League sides to signings before, hopefully we can do it again as the wheels keep turning at Ibrox.