Some Rangers fans are championing a move for the freed West Ham United midfielder, Jack Wilshere.
West Ham cut short Wilshere’s contract eight months early on deadline day, allowing Steven Gerrard’s ex-England colleague to find a new club – Rangers included – outside of the Premier League transfer window.
The 28-year-old posted the following message on social media afterwards, and it did not take long for Rangers to crop up in conversation, with the former Ibrox favourite Ally McCoist among those to talk up an approach from Gerrard’s side.
Why Wilshere to Rangers could happen
Wilshere insisted after leaving West Ham that, despite his negative injury record, he has in fact been fit for eight months.
But opportunities have not been forthcoming under the Hammers manager David Moyes, who has used him just twice since he returned to the London Stadium in late December (Moyes’ assistant Alan Irvine has also used him once).
Would Wilshere fare better at Rangers? That remains to be seen.
You would assume that Gerrard rates him, with the pair having lined up on nine occasions in the same England midfield (of which six ended in victory).
But the Rangers boss has also added the South Africa international Bongani Zungu to his options, which already comprised Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara, Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo – all of whom play for their countries.
Going on nothing but history, a fit Jack Wilshere would be – arguably – among the best of those.
But he is also not cheap, with West Ham rumoured to have been paying him £100,000 a week following his 2018 move from Arsenal.
And the 34-cap star would surely need to take a significant drop to fit into Rangers’ wage structure.
That said, the chance to work beneath a manager he – presumably – respects and trusts could appeal more to Wilshere than money, especially at such a critical point in his career.
Rangers is also a club with whom Wilshere could compete for trophies, adding to the two FA Cups he won at Arsenal.
And his experience of the above could have a positive effect on the Ibrox dressing room, as Celtic’s 10-in-a-row dream is hunted down this season.
What those of a Rangers persuasion are saying
How did he get here?
Born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Wilshere was lured to Arsenal as a nine-year old from the academy of local club, Luton Town.
He made his first-team debut just seven years later, fresh out of school, and went on to appear on a further 197 occasions for the Gunners, scoring or assisting 44 goals.
But, after an injury-hit few years, during which he spent six months on loan to Bournemouth, Wilshere was released by the London giants.
And despite being proceeded by what seemed like a fairytale move to West Ham, his situation never really improved.
Wilshere’s Hammers career ended with just one goal and as many assists in 19 games.
He will know that his next decision has to be a better one.
And Rangers appears to tick a lot of boxes.
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