Rangers have completed the signing of Gareth McAuley on a free transfer.
James McFadden has told BBC Sportscene Extra that he believes Gareth McAuley will be an excellent signing for Rangers because he will fix the club’s problems from set-pieces.
McAuley, 38, has signed a one-year deal at Rangers, becoming Steven Gerrard’s 15th summer signing after the Northern Ireland international was released on a free transfer by West Bromwich Albion.
He adds more depth at centre-back, with Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic only recently joined by Joe Worrall, who has travelled north of the border from Championship side Nottingham Forest on loan.
Asked whether McAuley would strengthen Rangers, Scotland assistant manager McFadden explained that the side’s frailty from set-pieces would vanish thanks to the addition of the towering centre-back.
“I think he’s a good signing because the frailties that Rangers have defensively have been from set-plays,” McFadden said. “If he plays, he will fix that.
“He wins his headers in the box, and in both boxes he will be a threat in an attacking sense, as well as being solid and reliable in his own box.”
Rangers have stuttered after an excellent start under Gerrard, with the 3-3 draw against Motherwell seeing Rangers concede two goals from set-pieces – with James Tavernier at fault for both goals.
Despite qualifying for the Europa League group stage on Thursday night, Rangers suffered a 1-0 loss to bitter rivals Celtic on Sunday afternoon at Parkhead with Olivier Ntcham scoring the only goal of the game.
McAuley could make his debut for Rangers after the international break on September 15, as they play host to Neil McCann’s struggling Dundee.
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