The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Sutton: Gers solid buys but Celts risky business
Chris Sutton expects Rangers’ January recruits to fit seamlessly into Steven Gerrard’s line-up – but he is not so sure of Brendan Rodgers’ “risky” new signings for Celtic.
Rangers have gone down the tried-and-trusted route by securing deals for Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis, but Rodgers has stuck by his policy of snapping up rough diamonds to be polished.
The Hoops have splashed out a reported £2million to lure 21-year-old Vakoun Issouf Bayo from Slovakian side Dunajska Streda while Oliver Burke and Timothy Weah have also arrived on loan.
But Sutton reckons Rodgers is taking “a punt” on a young trio yet to prove they can cut it at the highest level.
He said: “The jury’s still out. Weah has good potential but he’s not proven. It’s the same with Bayo. Burke’s also got a point to prove. He’s had a couple of bigmoney moves but hasn’t realised his potential.
“Rangers have gone down the route of buying players that some may say are past their sell-by date. I don’t. Celtic have gone the other way bringing guys who are raw.
“Defoe has shown all his career he’s a top finisher and Davis can give them the creativity they have missed.
“You tend to think Davis will come in pretty seamlessly. Defoe probably the same, as we know he can finish.
“These are players who have had top careers because they have looked after themselves. I expect them to make an impact.”
Meanwhile, Gers legend Mark Hateley believes it will be a “tragedy” if Defoe finishes his career without lifting a trophy but is convinced the striker’s move to Ibrox can bring him silverware.
He said: “For a man who’s scored 162 Premier League goals to end his career not having won a medal in his own right would be a tragedy.
“At the age he is now, that will be niggling him - but he’s coming to a club that offers him the chance to put that right.”