Greegs: I’ll help return us to No.1
as a positive beginning with the midfielder having huge experience of the English Premier League.
The Burnley capture is a solid signing but Allen says there is no specific identikit for their targets.
He added: “You look at the characteristics Scott stands for and the club he has come from.
“When you look at the pedigree and where he has played, hard work comes before anything and that is the trait we need as we move forward.
“He comes with ability, experience and great character. When you get an opportunity to be at the table and sign players like him you take it.
“It’s a mixture but no game is won without hard work first. You need to have that ingredient as a footballer. “We also need people who can handle the pressure. They need to understand what it means to play in the shirt and cope with playing in it. “The higher level you are able to attract the more chance you have of getting players playing in front of big crowds where they are in focus. “But I don’t think you should rule out anyone as there are gems everywhere. “Everyone has to start out somewhere. You may see up-andcoming players in League One. “It is unlikely you will see an older player coming from the lower leagues to us moving forward. “But we have to find a certain pedigree of player to play for Rangers. Scott fits that bill more than adequately.
“When we have got something to say or not we’ll say it.
“I’d like to think it’s more action than words and when we’ve got something to say it’s because action has been taken and we have something to deliver.”
Allen also confirmed Gerrard is close to putting the seal on his backroom team.
Gary McAllister has been confirmed as assistant manager but Liverpool coaches Tom Culshaw, Jordan Milsom and Michael Beale are all candidates to move into roles beneath the top pair.
Allen said: “That’s pretty much done but that’s for Steven to announce.
“It’s the manager’s prerogative to announce who his backroom team will be and I’m sure he will do that in due course.” FROM BACK PAGE centre-half Reece Burke also on his radar.
McGregor, 36, knocked back a new contract at Hull to return to his boyhood club where he won three titles, three Scottish Cups and five League Cup medals.
McGregor, who left Rangers six years ago, said: “I’m buzzing. It was an absolute no-brainer. To be back is incredible.
“When time goes by you think it might not happen and you just enjoy your football elsewhere but once you know and get a wee sniff that it could happen then it’s exciting.
“I just want to help the club in any way I can. I want to try to get us back to where we belong.”
McGregor, capped 38 times for Scotland, hopes the arrival of Gerrard as boss will help herald a new era of success for the Ibrox club.
He told Rangers TV: “He’ll hopefully bring that winning mentality back. We have to make this place a fortress
‘A special gong should be struck for Neil Lennon – Mr Entertainer of the Year. He’s been brilliant and is always filling the back pages’
where nobody wants to come, we need to win games no matter who we are playing. That’s what wins you titles.
Gerrard said of his latest signing: “I have played against Allan a number of times in my own career and I know just how fierce a competitor he can be.
“He is a Rangers supporter who rose through the ranks here so having someone with such a depth of feeling towards the club is another great asset to the squad.”
Reports from Brighton claim Rangers have had an undisclosed bid knocked back for Connor Goldson.
Gerrard is also running the rule over highly-rated West Ham defender Burke. The 21-year-old centre-back impressed on loan at Bolton.
Sheffield Wednesday are understood to be leading the chase for Burke’s signature on a temporary deal. But Rangers are ready to offer a permanent switch, along with promotion hopefuls Aston Villa, Leeds and Reading. you really are embarrassing yourselves. Second place was in your hands. End of story.”
said: “Stevie G should take a leaf out of Walter Smith’s book. When he returned to Rangers the second time the first signings he made were two no-nonsense central defenders, David Weir and Ugo Ehiogu.
“He needs to shore up the defence and then add a goalkeeper, central midfielder and striker right through the middle of the park.”
emailed: “If Gerrard didn’t know he had a huge job on his hands at Ibrox next season then he certainly would have after watching Sunday’s game against Hibs.
“He will know now he needs a whole new defence, a midfield and a striker.”
said: “I was a bit harsh on Jordan Rossiter and on Sunday’s form the boy looks a good player, as long as he can remain injury free. He works hard and took his goal well.”
Hibs boss Neil Lennon could cop a four-match ban for his over-the-top celebration when Jamie Maclaren netted the equaliser over Rangers at Easter Road.
said: “You have to ask yourself would Walter Smith or Jock Stein have done aeroplane celebrations for finishing fourth? It tells you a lot about Lennon.”
But said: “It’s the season of awards and a special gong should be struck for Lennon – Mr Entertainer of the Year. He’s been brilliant and is always filling the back pages.”
Finally, said: “Rivalries aside, Tommy Burns was a legend, not just for Celtic, but for Scottish football as a whole.
“His passion for the sport is still sorely missed today, while his legacy lives on.” CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY FROM 11 TILL 12 NOON on: 0141 309 3306 or email us: hotline@dailyrecord.co.uk