Rangers sign Ojo on loan

Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo says Steven Gerrard was the key reason he moved to Rangers on loan as the Ibrox club rejected reports their manager had held talks with Derby County. It was claimed Derby had moved to luretheformer Anfield captain back south on the day the Rangers manager was making his fourth summer signing in the shape of youngster Ojo, pictured. Frank Lampard,

a former England teammate of Gerrard, is still in charge at Pride Park but has been linked with a return to Chelsea to take over from Maurizio Sarri.

It was reported Gerrard was contacted by Derby as the Sky Bet Championship outfit make contingency plans for Lampard’s possible return to Stamford Bridge.

But Rangers insist Gerrard is going nowhere. A spokesman said: “Our manager has not been approached and he remains 100 per cent committed to the job he has here.”

Gerrard, whose side will host Derby at Ibrox in a friendly on 28 July, signed a four-year deal when moving to Glasgow last summer and he led Rangers to the Europa League group stages and a second-place finish in his first season in charge.

He has now raided his old club for the third time since joining Rangers to land Ojo on a year-long loan.

The 21-year-old winger has been sent out on loan previously to Wigan, Wolves and Fulham but endured a frustrating stint in France with Reims last term. Now he is looking forward to kickstarting his career under Gerrard in the same way PFA Scotland young player of the year Ryan Kent did with Rangers last season.

Ojo said: “The last two years I’ve not really had that consistent opportunity to play football. When I heard Rangers were involved, I spoke to my representation, the gaffer Steven Gerrard and Liverpool as well and came to believe this was the right destination for me this season.

“When I’m playing consistently and injury-free then everything goes well. I just haven’t had that consistency. With Rangers this season my aim is just to play how I’ve always played – freely and enjoy my football.”

Ojo becomes Rangers’ fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Jordan Jones, Jake Hastie and Greg Stewart, while Charlton midfielder Joe Aribo is expected to follow soon.

Kent could also return on loan, while a £600,000 bid for defender George Edmundson is still being assessed by Oldham.