As Steven Gerrard eyes more transfers, how have his summer signings performed?

THE rebuilding job that Steven Gerrard undertook during his first summer as Rangers manager was considerable, but the work is far from complete. A total of 15 players arrived as more than 20, of all ages and abilities, were allowed to leave on a permanent or temporary basis.

While some of Gerrard’s signings have hit the ground running, a handful have yet to prove their worth at Ibrox. Chris Jack rates the new recruits for their efforts during the first half of the season

ALLAN McGREGOR (pictured) Appearances: 35

The goalkeeper has rolled back the years since re-joining the club and has undoubtedly been the pick of the summer signings, and arguably the best performer in Scotland.

He has produced big showings when it has mattered most and has the winning mentality that Gerrard has so often referenced. At 36, he is as good as ever and nothing suggests he is showing signs of slowing down

JON FLANAGAN Appearances: 22

His signing proved controversial but Gerrard had no qualms about offering his former Liverpool team-mate a second chance following his conviction for assaulting his girlfriend. That faith hasn’t really been repaid on the park, though as he has failed to look comfortable at left-back and needs to improve in the second half of the season

CONNOR GOLDSON Appearances: 36 Looked like the centre-half that Rangers have been searching for in recent years

when he started the campaign impressively. Those high levels haven’t always been hit since and there have been lapses from the former Brighton stopper. However, a solid and reliable performer on his day, he has the backing of his boss and will be a key figure during the title run-in

NIKOLA KATIC Appearances: 20

Described as a “baby” in terms of his development by Gerrard early in the season, the Croatian formed a steady partnership with Goldson early on. He was dropped for the game in Villarreal and hasn’t really recovered as he has failed to convince when put back in. He has undoubted potential but chances could be limited in coming weeks

JOE WORRALL Appearances: 17

Was in need of first-team football and signed a loan deal to bring him north of the border from Nottingham Forest.

He has been in and out of the team and fans haven’t always been that impressed.

McGregor has arguably been the best performer in Scotland

The less said about Sadiq the better.

He wasn’t up to the task

He has the physical attributes required and if he can improve aspects of his game he can still establish himself at Ibrox this term

GARETH McAULEY Appearances: 9

The last man through the door in the summer, the Northern Irishman had to wait several weeks for a debut that lasted just seconds during the defeat to Spartak Moscow. The hectic schedule has counted against him but he is a reliable and steady presence at the back. The 39-year-old is still in fine shape and experience will be important during the closing stages of the campaign

BORNA BARISIC Appearances: 13

The supporters that travelled to Croatia and saw Barisic in action for Osijek against Rangers have arguably witnessed his best performance of the season. The left-back caught the eye in the Europa League and there was excitement at Ibrox when he signed a four-year deal. He has been steady if unspectacular for Gerrard but injuries haven’t helped him showcase his talent yet

SCOTT ARFIELD Appearances: 28

The deal for Arfield was the first one that Rangers announced in the summer and it has proven to be a shrewd bit of business. The former Burnley star has shouldered the responsibility for being the creative influence in the middle of the park and has chipped in with six goals. Rangers really felt his absence in December and his stunning Old Firm showing was a sign of what he can bring to the team

LASSANA COULIBALY Appearances: 25

Earned some words of high praise from Gerrard in the opening weeks of the season and supporters were encouraged with his early outings. An injury picked up against St Mirren kept him out for several weeks and he hasn’t looked the same since. He is capable of better and must start showing it if there is to be a clamour for him to remain at Ibrox next term

OVIE EJARIA Appearances: 28

The midfielder was the first player to follow Gerrard from Anfield to Ibrox as he signed a season-long loan deal but he didn’t make it to the winter break. Struggled to adapt to the style of Scottish football and never looked capable of having the impact Rangers needed. His strike in Ufa was huge for Gerrard but it was one of only two that he scored as he too often flattered to deceive and frustrated supporters

JAMIE MURPHY Appearances: 8

The deal to bring him from Brighton was put in place in January and Gerrard had high hopes for the boyhood Light Blue during his first full campaign at Ibrox. His season was cruelly cut short, though, as he suffered serious knee damage on the Rugby Park plastic pitch. It was a huge blow for Murphy and Gerrard has missed the winger

RYAN KENT Appearances: 24

He needed to make a big impression at Ibrox after a couple of unsatisfactory loan spells in recent seasons and has steadily come on for Gerrard’s side. He must add more goals to his play but he causes teams problems with his pace and trickery on the left flank. It is no surprise Rangers have struggled in the final third when he hasn’t played and fans are keen for a permanent switch from Anfield

EROS GREZDA Appearances: 14

Little was known about the Albanian when he followed Barisic and made the move from Osijek and he has yet to win over the Ibrox crowd. Two goals against Motherwell should have been a platform upon which to build but he hasn’t threatened often enough and can often prove ineffectual in the wide areas. He can’t be written off, but Gerrard will be expecting much more from him

UMAR SADIQ (pictured) Appearances: 4

The less said about Sadiq the better. Gerrard was full of praise for the Roma striker when he spoke about his soon-to-be addition at Rangers’ pre-season training base in Spain. But the Nigerian wasn’t up to the task and an abject showing against Aberdeen at Hampden was the final chance he was offered before he headed back to Italy early

KYLE LAFFERTY Appearances: 20

He was brought in to provide back-up to Alfredo Morelos and has fulfilled that role well, even if he has been overshadowed by his fellow forward at times. He has just four goals to his credit but ought to hit double figures this term. Gerrard likes the Northern Irishman and will hope his experience and big-game ability shine through in the coming months