RANGERS DOUBLE DOWN Gerrard brings in Roofe and Itten to bolster attack

RANGERS last night bolstered their attacking options by completing the double signing of Anderlecht striker Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten from St Gallen.

Roofe, 27, moved to Ibrox on a four-year deal after enjoying a successful stint in Belgium last term, while Swiss international Itten has also put pen to paper on a four-year contract after his club accepted an unspecified fee for his services.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard tried to bring Roofe to Ibrox from Leeds United last summer, but after finally securing his man yesterday, he expressed his delight, saying: “Kemar is recognised throughout Europe as an intelligent attacker with an eye for goal. I look forward to working with him and recognise his potential to further progress our starting XI.

“He has experienced the pressure and expectation at Leeds United and has played on the continent which will stand him in good stead for his time at Ibrox.”

Gerrard had been looking to strengthen the Rangers attack after the departure of Florian Kamberi, while Jermain Defoe missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury and Alfredo Morelos continues to be the subject of interest from Lille.

Roofe came through the ranks at West Brom but made his breakthrough at Oxford, netting 26 goals in his only full season there before joining Leeds in a £3million deal in the summer of 2016.

The Walsall-born attacker hit 32 goals in three seasons at Elland Road before moving to Anderlecht last summer for a reported £7million fee.

Itten moves to Glasgow after hitting an impressive 23 goals in 36 appearances for St Gallen last term, with Rangers Sporting

Director Ross Wilson saying there is even more to come from the 23-year-old.

“Cedric’s arrival is one that we are very pleased about,” Wilson told the club website. “He is joining following an excellent season with St Gallen.

“His potential is high and we know he can be developed here at Rangers, working with our staff.

“This deal was agreed just over a week ago but with St Gallen in a title race and battle for European places we were respectful of that with the Swiss season only ending on Monday evening.”