STEVIE WON’T HASTE GERS’ TIME

Allen: Gerrard will be careful with signings

MARK ALLEN is adamant Steven Gerrard won’t be rushed into rash signings at Rangers.

And the Ibrox director of football admits it could be seven weeks into the season before the new manager fully completes stage one of his rebuilding job.

Allen has lifted the lid on the detailed planning taking place between the pair as Gers look to recruit heavily through a busy summer and reshape their squad.

Although Gerrard does not take charge until June 1 he has been in constant contact with Allen as they attempt to identify and tie down new signings.

With a huge task on his hands to turn around the fortunes of his new club, the Scouser has spent a long time on the phone to Allen while travelling around the world.

Allen says the wheels are moving on the squad restructuring, despite the long distances apart.

Scott Arfield arrived as the first c.swan@dailyrecord.co.uk official signing of the Gerrard era on Monday while a deal is virtually struck with Brighton for Jamie Murphy to turn his loan into a permanent move.

Hull keeper Allan McGregor has sealed a return to Ibrox but Allen insists Rangers won’t be hurried when it comes to other potential targets.

In an ideal world Gerrard would have all of his signings in place for the start of pre-season training but that is simply not realistic.

And although Rangers get the 2018-19 campaign under way with a Europa League qualifier in midJuly, Allen claims meticulous planning means business may not be concluded until the transfer window closes August 31.

He said: “My experience has taught me it’s a long summer and you won’t always get your business done straight away, even though you might like to. We will endeavour to do as much as we can as soon as we can but I won’t be pushed into a rush just to get players.

“They have to be the right players, they have to be the right targets with the right quality and characteristics.

“Whether that takes two days, five days or the whole window, we will make sure any additions we bring in add to that level.

“We’re doing everything on the telephone at the moment because he’s not here.

“He is fully aware of all the targets and has rubber-stamped the direction we’re going. We’re exactly on the same page, 100 per cent.

“I need to sit down with Steven and go through every single thing in detail. He doesn’t officially start until June 1 and in between both of us are trying to take a bit of respite to refresh for next season.

“We’re just talking in general at the moment in terms of shape, system of play and potential players etc.”

Arfield’s arrival has been viewed

MARK ALLEN