Rangers, a rejuvenated force under Steven Gerrard, are enjoying an unbelievable run in Europe defying all odds. A slow start in the Premiership has pushed them a little behind in the title challenge, but the Gers are hopeful of closing the gap in the aftermath of a sensational 3-1 victory over league leaders Hearts.
Gerrard, the former Liverpool and England midfield icon, has brought in an array of new resources to rebuild the core of this Rangers team and succeeded in doing so by claiming some important results. A few, however, have been sent on loan for assured game time including 22-year-old Greg Docherty who is enjoying his time in England with Shrewsbury Town.
The Scotsman has found the net three times and assisted twice in ten games altogether for the League One outfit and vowed to utilise this loan stint to stake a claim in Gerrard’s future plans.
“Getting out of the limelight for a little while has been great. I’ve come down here to experience something different, and so far, I am enjoying it. I’ll take it game by game up until January and see where things are at, and if I’m here for the season then that’s fine. Whatever it takes to make a real success of my Rangers career, I’ll do it.”
This is what the player who joined his boyhood club back in January from Hamilton Academical had to say. Docherty was tied down on a four-and-a-half-year contract but could not convince Gerrard that he was good enough to stake a place in this Rangers squad during pre-season despite featuring under former boss Graeme Murty towards the end of the previous term.
The Scotsman found himself down the pecking order behind Ryan Jack, Graham Dorrans, Scott Arfield, Andy Halliday, Jordan Rossiter, Ross McCrorie along with loan recruits Ovie Ejaria and Lassana Coulibaly. He, therefore, opted to experience football in English soil for regular minutes.
The Light Blues have ample options in the middle of the park but still holds a place for Docherty in the long run. The likes of Rossiter and Dorrans have struggled through injury woes in recent months whereas it is still unsure whether the club would be able to tie down Ejaria or Coulibaly on permanent terms. Jack, Halliday and McCrorie offer combativeness and physicality in the centre of the pitch but lack the artistry high up the pitch.
Docherty, meanwhile, is known for his artistry in midfield that brings goals and creates goal-bound opportunities in the attacking third. The spell in England would help him develop physically and grow in experience to adapt to the pace and attacking aspect of Scottish football. He had enough senior appearances with the Accies before joining the Bears but must keep up the good work for the Shrews to secure his Rangers future.
