A rejuvenated Rangers had a blistering start under Steven Gerrard but failed to keep up the momentum once the season resumed after the winter break. The gap with Celtic is increasing every passing week at the top of the Premiership standings whereas the Gers have been knocked out from both the Cup competitions by Aberdeen.
Gerrard roped in an array of new signings to revamp the squad. However, they require more reinforcements in the summer to claim the Scottish crown. The deals sanctioned by the former Liverpool great would be scrutinised once the season concludes and the gaffer should look for resources who know the league through thick and thin to speed up the revival.
The Light Blues have recently been linked to a move for the Dons skipper Graeme Shinnie ( as reported by the Scottish Sun) who is out of contract this summer, therefore, weighing up options before deciding his future.
“I won’t be getting involved in a comment on Graeme or any other player for that matter. Especially during the season when the window is shut. I don’t think it’s the right time to be talking about ins and outs.”
Gerrard played down the speculations ahead of their midweek Scottish Cup quarterfinal replay at Ibrox. The outcome was shattering though as Shinnie proved to be colossal in the middle of the park as he led his men to secure a stunning 2-0 win to make it to the last four.
Their shambolic display and a lack of Plan B cast doubts over Gerrard’s Rangers future. The manager has to be sharper with his transfers if handed an opportunity to fix things up the next term and must make Shinnie one of the foremost priorities in spite of having enough depth in the centre of the pitch.
At 27, the Scotland international is currently at the pinnacle of his career and holds all the attributes to become Rangers’ very own Scott Brown with his destructive game. Brown, though hated by the Bears, has been stupendous in Celtic midfield and is still going strong in his twelfth campaign at the Parkhead. Shinnie would inject a similar influence for at least a couple of campaigns more and should be partnering Ryan Jack, his former Dons teammate to rule the show from a central role.
Lassana Coulibaly has been disappointing despite a blistering start whereas Glen Kamara, the winter signing from Dundee, is yet to impress enough to register a regular role. Shinnie is arguably better than the majority of Rangers’ central midfield options, and a deal should be wrapped up at the earliest to start preparing for the upcoming season.
