Rangers set to offer new contracts to three stars

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Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard wants to sign up his most experienced players up to new Rangers deals.

Rangers will look to sign Jermain Defoe on a permanent basis, beyond the expiration of his current loan deal at the end of this season, The Scottish Sun report.

Defoe has had a highly productive 2019 at Ibrox since making the switch from Bournemouth during the last January transfer window.

Scoring an excellent 21 goals in 37 appearances, only the exceptional form of Alfredo Morelos has kept him out of Steven Gerrard’s team.

Recognising the influence of Defoe, the Rangers boss is now looking to tie him down to a permanent contract. His time at the Cherries is also due to end come May.

Gerrard has also admitted he’ll be looking to extend the contracts of Steven Davis and Allan McGregor, both of whom have deals that expire at the end of the season.

As quoted by The Scottish Sun, the manager explained: “There will be more news on the horizon about people staying here for longer.

“The people I’m talking about are the likes of Jermain, Allan, Steven — they’re not on long-term deals but are very much in the plan. They are on top form and players we want around longer than the end of the season.

“I don’t look at age. I look on form, I look on what you offer, what your contribution is on a daily basis.”

Although going on to suggest none of the trio will be offered multi-year contracts, it’s clear that he is hoping the club invest a fair bit into the veterans.

Is that the right move?

Right now it could hardly be argued that all three of the players Gerrard mentions aren’t pulling their weight in a Rangers shirt. Relative old age or not, they’ve been about as consistent as could be expected.

Also huge presences in the Ibrox dressing room, they’ve been excellent signings.

All of them have done enough to at least earn another 12 months at the club. It’s only if there are signs of decline that anything else should be considered.

Some may question an over reliance on older players, but it’s not as if Gerrard isn’t also investing in younger talents too. Squad building is all about balance and, right now, that looks like what the Rangers manager has.