‘Great asset’ – Ibrox Exclusive: Alex McLeish backs Rangers to sign ‘lovely’ talent he used to manage

We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…

Alex McCleish has claimed that Daniel Johnson would be a “great asset” for Rangers if they were to sign him. 

Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, the former Gers boss, who managed the 27-year-old during his time with Aston Villa, suggested that he is a “lovely little player”.

Steven Gerrard’s men have been heavily linked with a move for Johnson in recent weeks as they look to bolster their options ahead of this season’s Scottish Premiership title challenge.

Rangers

And McLeish believes that his former side could do a lot worse than the Preston North End midfielder.

Speaking to Ibrox News, he said: “I remember him.

“A lovely little player. At the time when I had him he was a wee bit on the younger side to break through to the first team but we did think highly of him.

“He might have even played in one of the games because I had a lot of problems injury-wise. We had a very young midfield. We had some great young players, and he was one of them. 

“Watching his progress and seeing him with Preston and the quality and confidence he has shown, then he would be a great asset.”

Johnson left boyhood club Villa for Preston North End in 2015 having failed to make any meaningful impression on the first team.

He has since gone on to play 220 times for the Championship club, scoring 44 goals and assisting 26 more, but was omitted from their match day squad to face Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.

In other Rangers news, Jermain Defoe offers advice to ‘unbelievable’ Light Blues teammate after legend comparisons