According to the reports from Football Scotland, bookies have made Rangers the favourite to sign former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge on a free transfer this summer. Oddschecker have slashed the odds for the English striker moving to Ibrox to 6/4.
Sturridge has always been impressive when he has been fit and available. Steven Gerrard will know about the forward’s ability as he played with him for quite a few years. At his best, the 29-year-old was also a regular for the English national team as he made 26 appearances for them.
However, he has been lost in the wilderness in the past few years. But last season, he was fit and available for the most parts. The striker made 27 appearances in all competitions last season, most of which came from the bench. Sturridge managed to find the back of the net four times and provided with two assists as well. The striker finished his Liverpool career with 67 goals in 160 appearances.
Does Rangers need a striker?
Recently reports have emerged that Kyle Lafferty is no more in Steven Gerrard’s plan for the next season. That would leave the club with two strikers in the form of Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos. The Colombian striker is anyway attracting interest in the transfer market, and if the right bid comes by then, we think that Gerrard might sell his last season’s top scorer.
Therefore there is a definite need for Rangers to add atleast one more striker even if Morelos stays at the club. With European qualifiers to also contest in, the Gers should look to have ample depth in the striking department.
Can Sturridge be successful at Rangers?
There will be a lot of questions over Sturridge’s fitness and injury track record if this signing happens. However, there is no doubt about his footballing abilities. The Englishman has lost his pace in the last few years, but he remains a lethal scorer. Even last season, he scored two memorable goals; one in the Champions League against Paris Saint Germain and one against Chelsea in the league games.
Gerrard will have to use Sturridge smartly if he goes through with this move. Last season, the striker remained fit and available for the most parts so that should give confidence to the Rangers board to go ahead with this signing. We think that on a short term contract, the forward is definitely worth a punt and if he stays fit, then he has the potential to score 20 odd goals. With Gerrard at the helm at Ibrox, the two times Champions League winning striker can definitely make a switch to Glasgow.
