Football is suspended indefinitely across the globe amid the COVID-19 outbreak, but Rangers, despite being a resurgent force under Steven Gerrard, have a few decisions to make when (or if) the season resumes later this year. The Gers started brightly in the title race but got derailed midway in the aftermath of the winter break.
Gerrard’s influence and reputation led to multiple high-profile signings over the past few windows. He was desperate to close the gap with rivals Celtic and reclaim the coveted crown overcoming their decade-long drought. The former Liverpool great used his contacts in Merseyside to rope in a few promising academy prodigies including Sheyi Ojo who was craving for first-team football.
Why It Was An Exciting Signing For Rangers
The 22-year-old attacker had a few senior appearances for the Reds during Jurgen Klopp’s early days at Anfield but slipped down the pecking order eventually following the arrival of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He had a promising loan spell with Fulham in the English second tier but failed miserably at Stade de Reims when he spent the entire 2018-19 campaign struggling for minutes.
The opportunity under Gerrard was indeed a breath of fresh air for the youngster. He had a stupendous start in the league as well as Europe yet failed to maintain the momentum eventually which cost him his starting role. Ojo, so far, has fired in 5 goals and assisted seven times in 36 appearances (stats via Transfermarket) which, however, would probably not be enough to convince the manager despite the Liverpool connection.
He lost his place to Joe Aribo initially who impressed down the right-hand flank and later to Ianis Hagi as the Romanian did justice to his reputation since plying his trade to Glasgow from Genk on an initial loan deal (with an option to buy at the end of the ongoing term). Despite Ojo’s ability to feature across the frontline, the presence of his former teammate Ryan Kent, Jordan Jones, Brandon Barker along with Aribo and Hagi makes the Gers well equipped for the time being.
The Verdict On His Rangers Future
Alex Rae, the former Rangers midfielder and a current pundit, does not see him having a future at Ibrox either.
“I think it’s fair to say Ojo will most certainly go back to Liverpool. He had a decent instant impact but he never really kicked on from there so I think he’ll certainly go back.”
Revealed Rae (as cited by The Scottish Sun) while analysing the future of a few Light Blues stars. Although the Bears have been backed to pursue their relationship with Liverpool once again, they are highly unlikely to return for Ojo and seal a deal considering the current scenario.
