Rangers manager Steven Gerrard comments on Gareth McAuley

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Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard brought Gareth McAuley to Ibrox in the summer transfer window.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has suggested to The Daily Record that Gareth McAuley knew that he would be a squad player at Ibrox when he joined after leaving West Bromwich Albion.

McAuley moved to Rangers on a free transfer in September after leaving West Brom in the Championship in England at the end of last season.

The 38-year-old central defender made his competitive debut for Gerrard’s side only on Thursday evening, as he came on as a substitute in the fourth minute of injury time during the Gers’ 4-3 defeat to Spartak Moscow away from home in Russia in the Europa League.

Rangers manager Gerrard has suggested that the Northern Ireland international knows that he would be a squad player at Ibrox when he made the move.

Gerrard told The Daily Record about McAuley: “He is a big Rangers fan who wanted this move. He realised it would be a squad player situation, he’s professional and has been patient.

“There will be times when we need his experience and his knowhow. That might be from a beginning of a match or to see a game out, or against a certain opponent who might come and try to bombard us.”

Good signing for Rangers?

At 38, McAuley is past his prime, and it was always going to be hard for the Northern Ireland international to play regularly for Rangers this season.

The former Ipswich Town defender, though, does bring with him a wealth of experience, having played in the Championship and in the Premier League in England with considerable success.