Rangers‘ darkest days in the lower leagues were finally over, a couple of seasons back when they secured a return to Premiership but eventually parted ways with most of their architects who scripted a promotion in the Scottish top tier. Martyn Waghorn, the former English youth international, was key to their upsurge, who netted 20 goals in 25 league games in his first season at the Ibrox following a Bosman move upon expiration of his contract to English Championship side Wigan Athletic back in July 2015.
Although Waghorn failed to replicate his form of the Scottish second tier, he still ended up being Rangers’ top scorer in all competitions with 16 goals. The Gers had an underwhelming season which resulted in Mark Warburton’s dismissal and the former Sunderland academy prodigy was not a part of new boss Pedro Caixinha’s plans last summer.
The Portuguese tactician opted to rope in several attacking recruitments and Waghorn’s decision of not extending his stay forced the Glasgow giants to offload him on a cut-price deal of around £250,000 to English outfit Ipswich Town.
The 28-year-old centre-forward showcased his excellence last season in the Championship circuit as he notched 16 goals and laid on 11 times in 44 league outings. His scintillating run of form has made him a transfer target of new Derby County boss Frank Lampard, the former Chelsea and England midfield icon, who is eyeing a Premier League promotion in his maiden managerial stint.
The Rams, meanwhile, are preparing a lucrative deal as per latest reports which could rise as high as £8m and hand the Light Blues a staggering £800k cash windfall based on the 10 per cent sell-on clause inserted in the agreement while striking a deal with the Suffolk-based outfit. The Scottish giants are not blessed to spend millions in the transfer market and this amount will do them a massive favour for future investment, particularly for youth development purposes.
Rangers have flexed their muscles in the summer window with 10 new recruits so far under new boss Steven Gerrard who is reconfiguring the squad in the aftermath of last season’s disastrous transfer business under Caixinha.
Read More: Millwall Still Coy On Defender’s Move To Rangers: 3 Options For Gerrard Including Barnsley Defender!
The former Liverpool and England legend is relishing the opportunity of restoring the long-lost battle against famous rivals Celtic in his maiden managerial experience in senior football where he will have to knock down the ‘double treble’ winner Brendan Rodgers, the current Hoops boss who was in charge of the Reds during the final years of Gerrard’s glittering Premier League career.
