Steven Gerrard has wasted little time improving his Rangers side since taking the reins at Ibrox and there is sure to be plenty more to come.
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor finalised his move back to Rangers this week, the second signing in a week since Steven Gerrard took over the Glasgow giants.
The ‘keeper was out of contract at Hull and turned down the offer of a new deal from the club preferring instead to return to Rangers six years after quitting in the wake of the club’s financial meltdown.
McGregor’s capture follows the signing of midfielder Scott Arfield from Burnley and suggests the Liverpool legend has the pulling power to attract players earning good money in England.
Gerrard is likely to improve all aspects of the Rangers squad with particular focus up front.
So could he use his relationship with former teammates and Premier League fringe players Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch to forge a little and large partnership that would terrorise SPL defences?
England and Bournemouth striker Defoe waxed lyrical about Gerrard on Sky Sports last week and suggested he would be up for the move should the chance arise after spending most of the season on the bench at the South Coast club.
The 35-year-old, who has scored 275 goals in 675 career games, still harboured hopes of going to the Russia World Cup with England until recently such is his quality, remains in superb shape for his age and is still a threat at Premier League level for the Cherries.
He has found game time more difficult to come by this season but would be a real asset for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
And it seems Gerrard would not have to do much to persuade the striker to join him in Glasgow.
“I want to follow Stevie, yea of course!” an excited Defoe told Sky Sports News with a smile and a glint in his eye.
“It was always going to happen at some point, obviously I played with Stevie for England, I mean what a guy.
“I mean I could stand here and talk about Stevie forever you know. Great player, Liverpool legend, you saw the reception he got (at Ibrox), when I heard the news I was like (yes, great move).
“I just want to wish him the best to be honest away from football he’s such a nice guy, I loved playing with him, one of the best players I’ve ever played with.
“Without being biased, he’ll go on to be a top, top manager you know with his experience and just how he is as a person cool, calm, collected you know, he doesn’t feel the pressure, he loves the pressure.”
Meanwhile Peter Crouch, a former Liverpool and England teammate of Gerrard, could also be available to the Gers for a relatively low fee following Stoke City’s relegation.
The giant striker has a superb scoring record and has notched 16 Premier League goals in the last two seasons despite being consigned to a role as a late substitute for much of that time.
Defoe and Crouch have operated successfully together for England and Tottenham Hotspur and even with their advancing years would have plenty of quality left to change the face of Rangers’ attack north of the border.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
