‘I’ll be really strong on that’ – Gerrard fires January transfer warning to Rangers board
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has refused to countenance the thought of losing any key players in January, as the Scottish Sun report.
With the opening of the transfer window earlier this month there have been whispers of players being on the move across all clubs and it is no different at Rangers.
But Gerrard has ruled out losing any of his important first-team players as the Gers bid to end their Scottish Premiership drought with a title win to end Celtic dreams of 10-in-a-row.
On potential outgoings, Gerrard was firm in his deliverance, as quoted in the Scottish Sun, saying “In terms of players going out we don’t want to be losing any of our best ones so I’ll be really strong in terms of that.
“I want to keep this squad where it’s at, certainly to the end of the season.”
He added: “In terms of big names going out the door I don’t think that will happen and myself and the board are on the same page as far as that is concerned.”
Hagi form shows squad game is vital
Gerrard will be desperate to keep up the momentum that he has created at Rangers this season and that means retaining the vast majority of the squad is of paramount importance.
He has shown he has his preferred starting XI at times, particularly in defence where Allan McGregor, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Borna Barisic have started the majority of games.
But the rotation of squad players has been vital for Gerrard as the Light Blues remain unbeaten in this season’s Scottish Premiership, without a defeat in 22 games while they also did not lose in their Europa League group stage as they progressed to the knockout rounds.
Ianis Hagi is an example of a player that looked to be on the periphery of the group until his sudden re-emergence as an important option for Gerrard, scoring in consecutive December games against St Johnstone and Hibernian before helping to change the game as a second-half substitute in the Old Firm win on January 2.
With the recent news that Scott Arfield is out injured with an ankle ligament injury, Gerrard will be more mindful than ever that he needs depth in all positions if Rangers are to keep up their sensational start to the season and add trophies to their ranks.
That means keeping hold of players, and Gerrard’s words will act as a warning to the Rangers hierarchy that this must be upheld.
In other Rangers news, O’Neill confirms Stoke bid for Doughty as Gers target proves to be hot property.