Rangers legend Mark Hateley has offered an insight into what Rangers are planning with regards to transfers, reassuring supporters long-term plans are in place.
The arrivals of Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis were met with excitement from the vast majority of fans, but one criticism of the deals could be that they are not in the long-term interests of the club given their age.
However, Hateley is of the belief that both Director of Football Mark Allen and Steven Gerrard are building for the future, after discussing the issue with both.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, the striking icon said:
They are looking way beyond this season — these signings are not a short-term fix. I’ve spoken to Mark Allen and Steven a lot and we’re not looking to the summer.
We’re looking to the next summer and the next summer. The grand scheme is the big picture — it’s not just ‘We have to win the title’.
If we give it our best shot we’ll have a chance of being in the fight right until the end, which is a big achievement in itself. If we win it, it’s a huge bonus. If not, then it’s not the be-all and end-all.
We just take what they learned this season and we put it all into practice again. That is a pragmatic and proper way to go about it.
It’s not about throwing things at it. You need to set for this summer and look two windows down the line to see what we are trying to achieve.
Although most fans are dreaming of major honours this season, and rightly so, it’s pleasing to hear that those in charge of affairs at Ibrox aren’t putting all our eggs in this season’s basket.
One thing perhaps overlooked in the signings of Defoe and Davis is how much they will help young talent already at the club develop further. They are both experienced players who have played at the highest level and that can only help players such as Ross McCrorie and Alfredo Morelos.
Everything is in place for a long and successful Gerrard-era, regardless of what happens this season.