‘He’s fantastic’: Gerrard fave could be replaced as Rangers target £5m ace

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For Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Rangers, the return of Kemar Roofe could not have come soon enough.

The £4 million man made his long-awaited comeback after another spell on the sidelines during last week’s 1-0 Premier Sports Cup victory over Dundee, before appearing in league for the first time this term against Livingston on Saturday. 

The problem is, of course, that pinning your hopes on Roofe comes with a risk warning. Like attempting to pay off your mortgage with winnings from the poker table. Roofe, when fit, provides a much-needed link between midfield and attack, not to mention a reliable source of goals few others at Ibrox can match. 

When fit.

“Positive news on the strikers front? Well, for Rangers it has to be the return of Kemar Roofe,” Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish writes in his Sunday Post column. 

“He has been sidelined by injury for a huge chunk of 2022, and has missed some massive games. There is no doubting the quality he possesses. If he can stay fit, what an asset he will be for Giovanni and the team.” 

Could Rangers replace Kemar Roofe with Blackpool striker Jerry Yates?

If he can stay fit. If.

All the way back to his days at Leeds United, Roofe’s talents have been consistently undermined by niggles and knocks, strains and tears. And, with his Rangers contract expiring in less than two years’ time – meaning next summer will be the last chance the Gers have to make a genuine return on their £4 million investment – a player who turns 30 in January is starting to resemble a man reserving a table in ‘last chance saloon’. 

Especially with The Sun saying that Rangers are one of many clubs on both sides of the border eyeing up Blackpool’s £5 million-rated frontman Jerry Yates, on the back of eight goals in 16 Championship games for Michael Appleton’s Tangerines. 

Yates is not only a finisher. He’s an impressive, all-round centre-forward just as capable bringing others into play as he is converting chances in the penalty area. Sound familiar?

“I love Jerry to bits. He’s good at everything,” Yates’ former Swindon Town boss Richie Wellens told Quest’s EFL Highlights Show. “He’s got decent pace. He can hold the ball up. He’s a fantastic professional that wants to get everything out of his career.” 

Rumours surrounding Yates’ potential move to Glasgow are likely to raise yet more questions about Morelos status at Ibrox. But it’s Roofe’s future that could come under question instead, unless he can put those long-standing injury issues behind him for good.