Jack Wilshere issues emphatic one-word answer to question of Rangers interest
Jack Wilshere has shot down reports that Rangers were looking to sign him before he moved to Bournemouth on a free transfer.
The 34-cap England international has been linked with Rangers over the last few months with the midfielder available as a free agent following the termination of his West Ham contract.
Wilshere played with Gers boss Steven Gerrard for England and that link seemed to be at the heart of most of the rumours.
He signed a six-month contract with Championship side Bournemouth on January 18 to put an end to speculation before making his second Cherries debut at Derby County on Tuesday.
Wilshere took part in a Twitter Q&A on his profile on Friday evening and fielded a number of enquiries from interested spectators but he saved his most emphatic response when asked if Gerrard had made an approach for his services, simply responding “Nope!”.
Clearly Gerrard believes his best years are behind him or that the deal would not make financial sense for the club.
Never cut out for Gerrard’s machine
News that Rangers made no moves for Wilshere is hardly a surprise given the jump down he has subsequently made.
It is unthinkable to believe that he could turn down Gerrard’s high-fliers who are still going strong in Europe for a club of Bournemouth’s stature competing in the Championship play-off places.
Gers fans might also be blowing a sigh of relief that they did not compete for Wilshere’s signature given his injury record.
The 29-year-old has only featured more than 20 times in a league season once since 2013/14 showing just how beset by injury issues he has been.
The link to Ibrox was strong only in that he used to play with Gerrard at international level for England but made little sense otherwise.
With Ryan Jack returning from injury to compete with the likes of Steven Davis, Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield, amongst others, the Light Blues are well stocked in midfield and Wilshere certainly does not fit the bill in terms of what Gerrard demands of them.
With a fragile injury history Wilshere would have been an expensive luxury to fund and therefore there was no place for him here.
In other Rangers news, 18y/o prospect signs new Gers contract until 2023.