DANIEL’S THE TEN TO STOP THE TEN OLD FIRM TRAGEDY MADE BIG IMPACT ON LITTLE: PAGE 47
Ex-Well ace Humphrey tips Gers target Johnson to be the creative spark needed in battle for the title
happened there?’ He very rarely gives the ball away.”
Huge praise indeed. But could Johnson prove the difference between winning the title or not if he was to be tempted to Glasgow?
“Yes, 100 per cent,” said Humphrey.
“Rangers have one hell of a manager to learn from if you are a midfielder who likes to attack.
“Who better to learn off for DJ? He is only 27, he looks about 50! But it’s a great age and he can still learn.
“Gerrard would take his game to another level.”
Johnson has struck 43 goals in five seasons in Lancashire after coming through the ranks at Aston Villa.
The 27-year-old was the main man as Alex Neil’s side just missed out on the playoffs last time out, scoring 12 and chipping in with another eight assists in 34 outings.
And his ability to unlock defences is something Humphrey reckons would bring the best out of another close friend, Kemar Roofe. He said: “I know Kemar well. He lived round the corner from me growing up in Walsall and DJ will feed him all day long.
“Those two together would be phenomenal.
“I’m not just saying that because they are my friends. It’s the truth.
“I’d be excited about seeing those two link up together, it’d be frightening.
“Once they clicked, with Ryan Kent and those type of players around about him, then it would be frightening to think what level Rangers could go to if it all works out.”
Humphrey, now managing Kendal Town in the Northern Premier League, claims he turned down Rangers in 2013 to move to Preston.
At that time, the Ibrox club were reeling from having to start again in the bottom tier amid a financial crisis.
But having risen back to the top and with Gerrard at the helm, Humphrey is convinced the attraction of a title fight andd European football would be too much for his old pal to turn down.
Much dependsends on whether the Rangersngers board are willing to shell out, with Preston wanting significantly upwardswards of the £2million figurere quoted down south lastt week.
Humphrey said:aid: “I’m surprised DJ hasn’t gone to thee Premier League by now. I thought this year might be the year. He didd really well last season.eason.
“If someone likekee Rangers come in for yououo in the circumstances theythhey are in right now thenene it’s a no-brainer.
“When I left FirF Park and they camee in for me, it was a differentdiifferent circumstance asa they were in the bottombottom league. But for DanielDaniel with everythinghiing that’s at stake thisthis year and Europeanana football then it willill definitely appeal.””