Rangers can end centre-back hunt by reigniting 2016 interest in Adrian Mariappa

Follow us on Google Discover

Mariappa was reportedly a target for Rangers under Mark Warburton.

Steven Gerrard’s pursuit of a third new central defender this summer has seen him miss out on four targets, but he should try for a fifth by reigniting reported Rangers interest in Watford centre-back Adrian Mariappa.

Gerrard has failed to agree a deal for Millwall’s Jake Cooper, Bolton’s Mark Beevers, Blackpool’s Curtis Tilt and Manchester City’s Kean Bryan, with the Gers boasting just two senior centre-backs at the moment.

New signings Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic remain Gerrard’s only two options at the back, after the club waved goodbye to Bruno Alves, Russell Martin, David Bates and Fabio Cardoso – the latter joining Santa Clara this week.

Scotland’s transfer window remains open until August 31, but the former Liverpool and England captain must move quickly to bring another central defender to Ibrox with the Scottish Premiership getting underway this weekend.

Indeed, Rangers face Aberdeen on Sunday at Pittodrie and they need to lure a central defender to the club sooner rather than later, with the club just one injury away from relying on youngsters such as Kyle Bradley or Aidan Wilson.

A new option is required, and Gerrard should look to add some experience at central defence by reigniting Mark Warburton’s reported interest from 2016 in Watford stopper Mariappa.

The Daily Mail claimed Rangers attempted to land the 42-time Jamaica international when he was a free agent two summers ago, before he joined Watford. Now, he has just a year remaining on his contract.

Watford have brought in Marc Navarro and Ben Wilmot this summer and the duo could rise above Mariappa in the pecking order, despite the experience defender making 28 Premier League appearances last term.

But with Watford perhaps willing to cash in on the defender rather than losing him on a free next summer, Rangers have simply got to chance their arm and land a player who has clocked up 122 Premier League appearances in his career.