According to a recent report by the Scottish Sun, ex Rangers striker Kris Boyd has urged his former club to make a move for Derby County midfielder Graeme Shinnie in the summer, to replace the departing figure of Andy Halliday. Writing on his column on the Scottish Sun, Boyd spoke about some of the issues that are currently facing Steven Gerrard’s squad, including some of the players they’ve been linked with over the last few weeks.
The former Premiership striker suggested that Shinnie would be the right man to replace Halliday in the squad owing to the 28-year-old’s versatility, and even recommended the experience that he would bring to the table. Boyd then went on to compliment the Derby County man’s attitude towards the game as well. The former Kilmarnock man then took the names of two other players that Steven Gerrard should consider moving for in the summer – Aberdeen ace Lewis Ferguson and Norwich City star Kenny McLean.
Kris Boyd Recommends Graeme Shinnie To Rangers: What Would Shinnie Bring To The Table?
For starters, as has been mentioned by Boyd, the Scottish midfielder’s understanding of the style of play in the Premiership could come as a huge asset to Gerrard’s side. The 28-year-old made the switch to Derby County just last summer and hasn’t necessarily had the most enjoyable of campaigns.
Shinnie has featured in just 14 Championship outings so far this term, with only a single goal to show for all his efforts. Having spent the majority of his career in the Scottish footballing scene, the likelihood of him desiring a move back could be quite high too.
Capable of playing at multiple positions across the team, Shinnie would also add some much-needed versatility to the Gers’ squad. While his natural position is undoubtedly in defensive-midfield, take nothing away from his ability to be deployed in one of the wide areas. The Derby County man is perfectly able to fill in at left-back or on the left side of midfield, which is exactly what Halliday’s role in the team was up until the season was halted.
What Holes Would Shinnie Fill At The Ibrox?
While some will argue that there are already too many midfielders in Rangers’ ranks, the point of attraction for Gerrard will be the fact that Shinnie can fill in at left-back too. Borna Barisic is the only natural option that Gerrard currently has in the role, with both the backups from last season – Andy Halliday and right-back Jon Flanagan, set to depart at the end of their contract tenure with the Ibrox club. Going into a season that will include European football with just one left-back option would be the perfect recipe for disaster.
Is This A Move That Steven Gerrard Should Consider?
If there is one position in the Rangers team that needs to be addressed immediately, then it would undoubtedly be at left-back. Barisic has been a sensation in the role this season, but if his inconsistencies from the last campaign were to come up again, then Gerrard would be left in a pretty tight spot. Take into consideration that Rangers will have the added pressure of denying Celtic a tenth straight league title, and this move will slowly, but steadily, start to make a lot of sense.
