It has been a pretty decent first half of the season for Rangers but there seems plenty of room for improvements. The Gers paved their way back to the top tier after four long years since their liquidation and many expected them to challenge Celtic’s monopoly in Scottish football right away. It was too much an ask and quite expectedly, the Gers have failed to do that and one of the biggest reasons behind that is Rangers’ lack of potent goalscorers up front.
In the first half of the season, three Rangers’ strikers Martyn Waghorn, Joe Garner and veteran Kenny Miller have scored just 18 goals between them which far from desired. If you compare their figures with Celtic’s strikers Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths, the difference would be visible with ease.
It is as clear as daylight that Rangers need a potent number nine to lead their line who can bag the goals on a regular basis or else their woes is unlikely to come to an end.
Rangers could get what they want in a Scottish international forward who has found life hard in the Premier League. Yes, you guessed it right. We are talking about Jordan Rhodes. The 26-year-old is frozen out at Riverside Stadium right now and things are likely to get worse for him with the signing of Rudy Gestede from Aston Villa. Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has told the media that Rhodes could be on his way out if the right offer is tabled.
Well, Boro spent a lot for the Scotsman exactly one year back and should be hoping to recoup most of their money back and the fee Rhodes is likely to command is way too much for Rangers. But, this is a one-time opportunity for Rangers which they should not miss.
With the reputation Rhodes has in the Championship, he won’t find it hard to get a club for himself but if Rangers want to match Celtic’s level or even want to come close to it, they have to try bringing the Scottish forward.
Rhodes is tried and tested in the Championship level over the years. Despite doing so well in the second tier of English football over the years, Rhodes were never snapped up by any Premier League side which is really surprising. He earned his step up to the big stage with Boro last season by finishing second in the Championship but since then, he has struggled for both opportunities and form at the Riverside Stadium.
Rhodes has a brilliant resume to his name and has been one of the best strikers in the Championship in the last few years. He should not find it hard to find his true self in the Scottish Premiership. On top of that, he is from Scotland and should cherish representing one of the two major clubs in the country.
Rhodes and Rangers would be a marriage made in heaven. All we have to wait and see is how ambitious Rangers are.
