Rangers have recovered from years of misery and have shown signs of improvement under Steven Gerrard, the former Liverpool and England great, who has done considerably well in his maiden managerial experience at senior level. A string of new recruits have brought back depth, quality as well as balance within the squad and this could be enough to reignite the rivalry with famous counterparts Celtic.
The Light Blues, however, still lacks the experience to contest for the silverware and the recent interview of Charlie Adam on Goals on Sunday (via Sky Sports) confirms his desire to return to Ibrox after a decade to reestablish the lost glory.
Adam is currently featuring for Stoke City in the Championship but has found his game-time limited under new boss Gary Rowett. The gaffer has invested on Oghenekaro Etebo and Sam Clucas this summer who have sent the Scotsman further down the pecking order.
The midfield veteran will turn 33 within a couple of weeks and is unlikely to be handed an extension on the expiration of his current contract at the end of the ongoing term. He, meanwhile, is open to rejoining the Gers whom he represented 88 times since being recruited as a teenager and is willing to be part a Gerrard’s Rangers revolution.
“It’s a big club, still as well. Obviously, Steven Gerrard’s there, and he seems to be enjoying it. You want to be part of something special. He has an aura and a presence. If there was an opportunity to go back then great. I think it might be difficult given the number of players that they have, but you never know in football.”
Although Adam had a difficult time in Liverpool, he enjoyed his best years of late with Blackpool and Stoke City in the top-flight of English football. Gerrard, aware of his attributes, should welcome a Bosman switch to introduce physicality and an aggressive aspect in the middle of the park.
Ryan Jack brings in combativeness but lacks the experience to drive the show on major occasions. Ovie Ejaria and Lassana Coulibaly have been impressive but are on-loan and must be unclear on where their future lies next year. Graham Dorrans’ injury-riddled Rangers stint offers uncertainty whereas Scott Arfield prefers to operate in and around the attacking third. Jordan Rossiter and Andy Halliday are capable of featuring in a box-to-box role but are only useful as squad options considering the quality the Gers have in the centre of the pitch.
Adam might prove to be Rangers very own Scott Brown, the Celtic skipper who is hailed as well as hated for his destructive nature. But his presence and influence can’t be denied as the truculent attitude justifies the aggressiveness of Scottish football. Rangers should welcome a character of Adam’s stature to challenge the Hoops’ dominance in domestic competitions.
