Steven Gerrard recently highlighted the fact that Rangers would need certain key signings in the upcoming summer transfer window to improve further. The Gers have fallen 10 points behind Celtic in the title race and are already out of the Scottish Cup competition. Therefore a trophyless season is very much on the cards for the Glaswegian giants.
One area where we thought that Rangers were sorted for the season was the centre back position. The duo of Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic did exceedingly well in the Europa League qualifiers, and Rangers had a tight defence in the first half of the season.
However, one cannot say the same now as the Bears have conceded some sloppy goals off late and quite a few of their goals have been because of their own mistakes. Joe Worrall is anyway not going to stay at the club by next season, and Gareth McAuley’s contract is also expiring. After impressing initially, Katic and Goldson’s form has also taken a turn for the worse, and there is no doubt that Gerrard would need to sign two centres back in the summer.
We believe the gaffer should once again go after Millwall’s defensive beast Jake Cooper. The 6ft5inches defender was linked with a move to Rangers last summer and Rangers even had a £3m bid rejected for him
What makes him a more achievable target for Rangers this season is that the defender has a release clause in his contract which could be triggered if Millwall suffers relegation to the League One. The Lions are just one point from the relegation zone, and things can go either way at the moment.
Cooper though has done decently for his side at the back, and moreover, his attacking contributions are hard to ignore as well. The colossus centre back has four goals and seven assists to his name in all competitions and his attacking ability from set pieces can win games for Rangers on their own.
The 24-year-old has all the makings to be a top centre half in the Scottish Premiership as he has that physical side to his game which is often the crucial factor in the Scottish top flight. With Goldson also showing vulnerabilities, Gerrard needs to add a solid defender and Cooper can be a long term option at the club. Even if Millwall survive relegation, we believe Gerrard should look to reignite the interest in this English defender who can be the backbone of the Gers side for the next season.
