Danny Murphy believes Rangers signings can help topple Celtic

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Rangers have signed Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe over the weekend.

Danny Murphy has told TalkSPORT (Jim White show, January 7, 10:10am) that he believes Rangers could win the Scottish Premiership title under Steven Gerrard ahead of Celtic – after completing the signings of Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis.

Defoe, 36, was confirmed on Sunday after he put pen to paper on an 18-month loan move from AFC Bournemouth, while Davis has returned to the club from Southampton after leaving Rangers in 2012.

It gives the Gers a much stronger outlook in both midfield and in attack, with both players more than capable of playing in the English Premier League. Rangers remain on level points with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

Gerrard’s former Liverpool teammate Murphy was asked whether the two signings could be enough to finally topple Celtic and win the Scottish Premiership, and Murphy reckons it could see Gerrard win the league in his first season.

“He’s [Gerrard] a born winner, he’s finding a way of competing,” Murphy said. “It has coincided with Celtic having an average season I’ve played with both, very calm players. Jermain is a super footballer.

“They might be accused of being past their sell-by date. But they haven’t played regularly for a couple of seasons and it means they’re in good nick. Your rhythm can take a while to come back.

“But Defoe is super sharp. He can manipulate defenders, shoot with both feet. He’s electric. At that level, he’s going to make a difference.”

Defoe joins the club and looks set to compete with Colombia international Alfredo Morelos for a place up front, but Gerrard could look to combine the 57-time England international with the controversial Morelos.

Meanwhile, Davis is likely to become first choice in midfield, after Ovie Ejaria returned to Liverpool back in November despite agreeing a season-long loan deal at Ibrox in the summer.

Rangers are back in action on January 19, as they travel to face Cowdenbeath in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup – before taking on Kilmarnock at Rugby Park four days later.