Steven Gerrard has already completely revamped his Rangers squad.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has confirmed that he will speak with veteran defender Bruno Alves after the World Cup over the Portuguese star’s future at Ibrox – but he must keep the defender for off-the-pitch reasons.
Gerrard, 37, told the Daily Record earlier this week that he would speak to former Porto and Cagliari defender Alves after this summer’s tournament had concluded, with Portugal qualifying for the last 16.
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Alves’ future is in doubt after a disappointing 2017-18 campaign that saw him become first choice under Pedro Caixinha, only to drop down the pecking order under Graeme Murty – the latter preferring Russell Martin and David Bates.
Liverpool and England legend Gerrard has brought Connor Goldson to the club from Brighton, while 21-year-old Nikola Katic has also been signed for £1.5million from Slaven Belupo.
Still learning his trade, Katic is showing huge promise and is a like-for-like replacement for Bates, who has since joined German club Hamburger SV on a four-year deal after his Gers contract ran out.
With only 69 senior appearances throughout his career, Katic is still largely unproven and although a welcome addition to Gerrard’s squad, he needs a mentor.
Indeed, Gerrard must convince Alves to remain at Ibrox not only for his quality on the pitch – something he hardly got the chance to show last term – but to help the one-time Croatia international Katic improve on and off the pitch.
Becoming the youngster’s mentor will give the Gers another option at centre-back in Alves alongside Katic, Goldson and Ross McCrorie, but more importantly, it would provide Katic with someone to learn from.
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