Michael Stewart downplays Rangers signing Aaron Ramsey after thrashing Hearts
The deadline-day Rangers signing of Aaron Ramsey from Juventus is of secondary importance to how the unit performs at Ibrox, says Michael Stewart.
The Welshman made his Light Blues debut on Sunday, coming off the bench during the 5-0 thrashing of Hearts, but former Jambos midfielder Stewart has downplayed the significance of the move.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene on Sunday following the result he said: “There’s no doubt he’s a player of the highest quality but he’s in an area of the park where Rangers have got a lot of strength already.
“It’s a marquee signing but I think, to be perfectly honest, more importantly it’s [about] making sure that collective unit is strong.
“Aaron Ramsey on top of that, that’s great, but the reaction there today is the big one.
“To be beaten in the derby so convincingly, to come back with a performance and result like that – Aaron Ramsey coming on, great, brilliant – but the performance and the collective unit is far more important.”
Luxury signing?
The blockbuster loan signing of the former Arsenal man surprised many and lead to jubilation among Gers fans.
But lost among the excitement was the question of whether they really need him.
Certainly the psychological boost of one of the highest paid players in European football arriving at Ibrox didn’t translate onto the pitch as Celtic dominated the Old Firm derby.
It was another midfielder, in the returning Ryan Jack, that proved to be one of the loan bright sparks at Parkhead in midweek.
And Glen Kamara overshadowed his illustrious teammate off the bench against Hearts on Sunday, recovering from being substituted at half-time in midweek and dropped from the first XI to score a great goal.
Stewart’s assessment is similar to that of Kenny Dalglish in his Sunday Post column, that it is all very nice but will not make a huge difference.
With Joe Aribo also back now, the central positions look stacked and it will be on Ramsey now to stand out in a crowded field.
In other Rangers news, one man’s performance against Hearts drew high praise from a coach at a club linked to signing him.