Rangers have brought a number of players back to Ibrox recently.
Rangers embark on their Europa League group stage journey this evening as they take on Villarreal after a lengthy qualifying campaign.
It’s their first venture back into a European group stage since the club’s liquidation in 2012, but there are players that left that summer who are now back at Ibrox.
Allan McGregor and Kyle Lafferty not only returned to the club this summer but are expected to start at El Madrigal, as they play important roles under Steven Gerrard.
Steven Davis and Steven Naismith were also touted for returns to Ibrox earlier this year, with all four players among those to reject transferring their contract over to the ‘new’ Rangers six years ago.
With fans seemingly at least open to some of those players coming back to Ibrox, Rangers may look again, with one name standing out above the rest.
Midfielder John Fleck was touted as the ‘Scottish Wayne Rooney’ having come up through the Rangers ranks, but left in 2012 for Coventry City, before joining Sheffield United in 2016.
Now 27, Fleck has flourished into one of the Championship’s most underrated midfielders, often controlling games for the Blades with his outstanding technical ability.
That technique and composure on the ball is something that Rangers have often lacked in midfield, especially against Celtic, and a now-developed Fleck would be ideal for that role.
Sheffield United wouldn’t sell easily given his importance, and he would be something of a dream signing for the Gers, but if they do look to any more of the players from the 2012 exodus, then outstanding midfielder Fleck has to be their top target for 2019.
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