Steven Gerrard takes sly dig at ex-Rangers pair Sadiq and Ejaria

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Glasgow Rangers have announced that they have brought Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis to Ibrox.

In comments reported by the Daily Record, Steven Gerrard has explained how delighted he is that Rangers have managed to replace Umar Sadiq and Ovie Ejaria with Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe during the January transfer window.

The Gers have certainly put their rivals on alert during the opening days of the month. Defoe and Davis have both joined on loan, while Jordan Jones and Glen Kamara are scheduled to join the club in the summer having already agreed pre-contract deals.

The two loan deals are arguably huge statements from Rangers. And while discussing the moves, Gerrard pointed out what an upgrade it had been for the club to replace two of their most underwhelming summer signings with players of Defoe and Davis’ calibre.

“We’ve done a lot of background on him and spoken to Michael O’Neill and players who have played with him. He’s in incredible shape for his age. We see him as a young 34-year-old. He’s fit, available and ready to go now,” he said, as reported by the Record when asked about signing Davis.

“When you think we’ve replaced Umar Sadiq and Ovie Ejaria with these two, I’m very pleased with the business we’ve done.”

Signing Davis is unquestionably a fantastic piece of business – especially if he manages to replicate the form that he showed during his previous spell at Ibrox and the majority of his time at Southampton. Ejaria had some bright moments, but Davis’ experience makes him a superb addition.

But it is surely the move for Defoe that will leave many anticipating that Rangers could be a different animal during the second-half of the season.

Sadiq’s spell at Rangers could perhaps be best summed up by the moment in the Scottish League Cup semi-final when he danced round the goalkeeper – with a rare moment of quality from him during that game – and decided to throw himself to the ground rather than simply roll the ball into the net.

Many of the Ibrox faithful would argue that it would have been difficult for Rangers to sign a striker who was not an upgrade on Sadiq. But that takes nothing away from how sensational a deal for Defoe could be if Gerrard can get the best out of his former teammate.