Rangers made wholesale changes to the squad in the summer of 2018, but we expect them to make some more crucial signings in the upcoming summer. Joe Worrall and Gareth McAuley’s contract are expiring soon, and we expect the club to sign two centre backs.
Greek media outlet SDNA claimed in December that Rangers were keen on signing AEK Athens defender Vassilis Lambropoulos in January. However, nothing materialised at the time.
The defender joined the Athens based club in 2014, and the 28-year-old has firmly established himself as the main centre back of the side. However, his current situation at the club isn’t ideal as he is yet to play since November of last year. The reason behind this was that he refused to extend his contract and he has been frozen out of the first team.
Lambropoulos played in the Champions League this season where the Greek side were eliminated from the group stage. Rangers should look to reignite their interest in the defender as the former Ethnikos Asteras player is in the final few months of his contract and is going to be available on a free transfer.
A lot more was expected out of Connor Goldson, but even he has looked shaky at the back. Therefore it is vital for the club to sign an experienced defender in the summer who can play for a few more years. Lambropoulos fits the bill perfectly at the moment as he is 28.
The defender even got a national team call up for the first time last year and he can be termed as some sort of a late bloomer. Rangers’ rivals Celtic might remember the defender as it was Athens who ousted the Hoops from the Champions League qualifiers last year.
Rangers can look to take advantage of this situation in the summer and sign him on a free contract. Lambropoulos has that physical side to his game which should stand him in good stead in Scottish Premiership. The defender hasn’t played outside of Greece yet, but his experience of playing in some top European competitions should come in handy. There is no doubt that he could be worth a punt on a free transfer.
Another factor which makes the defender’s case strong is his ability to play in other positions apart from centre back. Lambropoulos can fill in as a defensive midfielder as well as a right back when required as he is comfortable with the ball at his feet and can carry it out from the back. Therefore, all in all, this seems like a no-risk signing and Gerrard should try to reignite his side’s interest in this Greece international.
