Rangers’ James Collins deal would be underwhelming after Martin Skrtel links

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Scottish Premiership giants Rangers have reportedly targeted James Collins after missing out on Martin Skrtel.

Has the optimism that surrounded Steven Gerrard’s appointment already started to wane at Rangers?

The early signings of Scott Arfield and Allan McGregor got the fans’ hopes up. But, since then, a number of exciting transfer targets appear to have slipped away.

The Sun stated that Rangers had made a £4 million bid for Oli McBurnie but a deal for him, or his Swansea City teammate Kyle Bartley, looks to have stalled. Links with Jermain Defoe, Lucas Leiva and Dominic Solanke have come to nothing and Martin Skrtel, Gerrard’s former Liverpool teammate, will not be arriving either.

In quotes reported by Sky Sports, Skrtel’s agent said a move to Ibrox was virtually impossible as Rangers did not have the finances to afford a deal.

And, just a few days later, it seems that Rangers have identified a largely underwhelming alternative – James Collins.

The 34-year-old is a free agent after being released by West Ham and it is understood that Collins would be tempted by a move to Rangers. But, while Skrtel is still a solid defender and has been in excellent form for Fenerbahce over the last two seasons, Collins is well past his best; reflected by the fact he has been ushered out the door by the Hammers.

His potential arrival would have shades of Joey Barton or Niko Kranjcar, a big-name but not necessarily a signing that makes sense from a tactical or a financial point of view. To put it bluntly, he would be a substantial downgrade compared to Skrtel.