Gareth McAuley was signed after the transfer window closed as he was a free agent and Steven Gerrard made him his 15th signing of the summer. The 38-year-old, however, has struggled to stay fit in the past two months and has often been sidelined for the most parts. However, he is starting to get some game time as the veteran played close to 45 minutes in Rangers’ 7-1 win over Motherwell.
MacAuley admitted that he made a mistake after he was released by West Brom and believe that was the reason why he was sidelined for so long after moving to Ibrox.
He said,”I have enjoyed it and it has been hard work. In hindsight, I should have gone in somewhere and done pre-season properly, but here I have done the hard work and I feel fit and ready to go. I thoroughly enjoyed it [Motherwell game], the whole occasion. The display before the game and how the game was going before getting on the pitch, it was very, very pleasing to get out there and to experience it.”
It’s clear that Gerrard wanted him to put some work and get up to pace before he saw first-team action and that shows the work ethic which the new manager has brought in at the club. The Gers have signed McAuley on just a one year contract. Therefore, it remains to be seen what the club would do if he impresses in this short spell.
Like the overall team, the defence has put in some indifferent performance off late and one doesn’t know which Rangers side would turn up on a particular day. After the horrific defensive performance against Spartak Moscva, it was clear that Gerrard was willing to make some changes at the back and he brought back Joe Worral for the next game and gave McAuley a half of action in the centre back role.
It is likely that the Northern Ireland international is going to be more of a backup option as the season goes by but given his experience, he can be a major stalwart off the pitch and in the dressing room as well. McAuley also can spring up with a goal or two as he has excellent instincts when it comes to attacking set pieces and that is why the defender was sent on late in the Europa League game against Spartak when the Gers had one final set piece.
The Bears would hope that the likes of Nikola Katic, Joe Worrall and Connor Goldson would do the job well enough but given the experience and ability of McAuley, the defender can still come in handy especially during the busy phase of the season which is approaching.
