Whenever a manager puts pen to paper at a new club, it doesn’t take long before attention turns to who could follow in his footsteps.
A case in point. Since being unveiled as manager of Premier League outfit Aston Villa last week, former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has already been tipped to reunite with Borna Barisic, Nathan Patterson and Ryan Kent south of the border.
Whether there’s any truth to those reports – and they certainly have a hint of ‘two-plus-two-equals-five’ about them – remains to be seen.
But as it looks increasingly likely that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will take Gerrard’s seat in the Ibrox dugout – The Athletic believes the Dutchman is now discussing backroom staff with Rangers chiefs – one name leaps off the page when discussing potential players who could join him.
Could Renato Tapia join Van Bronckhorst at Rangers?
“There are a number of clubs interested in him, including Celtic and Rangers from Scotland,” the father of Peru international Renato Tapia said in quotes reported by The Scottish Sun in June 2020, backing claims by Voetbal International.
Tapia won five trophies under Van Bronckhorst at Feyenoord, including the 2017 Eredivisie title (the club’s first in 18 years).
And if the former Netherlands international does take the reins at Ibrox, as expected, his first task may be to replace one of Gerrard’s most trusted lieutenants.
Steven Davis turns 37 on New Year’s Day, the leaves turning pale as the Irishman reaches the autumn of a magnificent playing career.
Davis’ influence waned in the final few months of Gerrard’s tenure, particularly in European fixtures. A more youthful, energetic option would be well received in the centre of the park.
Tapia is a ‘great talent’
“I see him as a boost for Feyenoord,” Van Bronckhorst said of Tapia in 2016, shortly after he snapped up the 66-cap enforcer from Eredivisie rivals FC Twente.
“He’s a great talent and has been playing for several years in the Netherlands. When the opportunity arose to bring him to Feyenoord, we were convinced we had to do so.”
Now plying his trade in La Liga with Celta Vigo, last year AS reported Atletico, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain had expressed interest in the midfielder, who has a £25 million release clause in his contract.
So while Rangers is a more tempting destination than it was during the harrowing days of Pedro Caixinha, Tapia may still be out of reach.
Van Bronckhorst jumped at the chance to sign Tapia once before, however. Given the opportunity, he would surely do so again.
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