GERRARD’S MEN STILL NEED TO BE LEANER AND MEANER

TWO wins and two clean sheets, Rangers have got their pre-season off to a solid start after winning the mini-tournament for the Veolia Trophy over in France. Steven Gerrard expressed a desire to add a new striker and a new centre-back to his squad before the league campaign gets under way. I can understand where he’s coming from. There were times last season when they were far too reliant on Alfredo Morelos to provide goals and firepower up front. Jermain Defoe will turn 38 in October. As good a player and finisher as he is, you can’t rely on someone at that age to be the main back-up. There has to be a third option. As for the centre of defence, the fact Nikola Katic is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury will no doubt have heightened Gerrard’s desire to bolster the backline. But, as much as anything else, Gerrard’s focus and priority should be on trimming what looks to be a very bloated and imbalanced squad. Rangers have been stockpiling wingers.

I know he had a decent cameo against Lyon, but I’m still not convinced Brandon Barker is the answer long-term. The same applies to Jordan Jones. Then you’ve got the likes of Jamie Murphy, who has almost become the forgotten man at Ibrox after a bad knee injury and a loan stint at Burton Albion. Greg Stewart is another one. He’s a really talented boy on his day and did well whenever he got his chance last season, but Gerrard just doesn’t seem to fancy him all that much. Rangers can’t afford any passengers this season. These guys will all be on decent money and taking up a fair chunk of the wage bill. Trimming the squad and making it leaner in numbers brings the group together and makes them tighter as a unit. You can’t afford to have guys moping around and just picking up a wage. They are jersey-fillers and don’t help the atmosphere around the club. Trust me, I’ve been there and seen it with the likes of your Derk Boerrigters and your Nadir Ciftcis at Celtic. Say no more…