Ben Wild

Wed 7 October 2020 14:31, UK

Carlton Cole has warned Jack Wilshere away from a move to Rangers, insisting that playing on artificial pitches in Scotland could cause him injury problems.

Wilshere has been linked with a free transfer to Ibrox following the termination of his contract at West Ham on deadline day [ExWHUemployee].

But Ex-Celtic forward Cole has suggested that a move north of the border wouldn’t benefit Wilshire and blamed his own poor spell in Scotland on artificial pitches.

Cole told talkSPORT on Wednesday, as transcribed by the Daily Record: “It would be a bit too cold for him. Plus you guys up there have artificial pitches.

“When I played up there I had knee problems but some of the grounds had astroturf and I couldn’t play.

“As soon as I play on it or train on it I’m out for a week with swollen knees so it wouldn’t be great for him.”

Should Wilshere join the Gers he will come up against Kilmarnock, Hamilton and Livingston, all of whom use artificial pitches.

The former West Ham and Arsenal man has struggled with injuries throughout his career, with his most recent injury keeping him out of action for 221 days. He also missed the majority of the 2015/16 season with a hairline crack in his calf-bone.

These issues will concern Rangers fans, who won’t want to sign a player who is going to spend more time on the injury table than the pitch. But there is no denying Wilshere’s quality when he is fully fit.

He came second in 2010’s Golden Boy award, losing out to controversial Italian striker Mario Balotelli. His talent was clear from a young age and perhaps a move to Scotland could be just the jump-start his floundering career needs.

Perhaps the move is a risk for the injury-prone midfielder, but it is unlikely he will receive a more attractive offer than coming to play at Rangers under Steven Gerrard, a man who Wilshere has shared a midfield with for England.

In other Rangers news, Celtic star doubt for clash v Rangers after the international break.