When Steven Gerrard’s Rangers tenure began, there was always going to be an overhaul at the club.
How big an overhaul we did not know. We didn’t even really have an idea of how much Rangers would have to spend, the £14m Pedro Caixinha experiment still fresh in the memory.
But spend Rangers did. And for the most part, Gerrard has done so wisely. The Scouser saw 15 of his own players join the club in the Summer, whilst 23 of those at the club departed.
Two of those Gerrard signings, Borna Barisic and Eros Grezda, brought much excitement and Eastern promise. They also cost the club a reported £4m between them.
These are two international players, highly regarded in and by their home countries. Left back Barisic is vying for the first team spot with World Cup Finalists Croatia.
Eros Grezda was touted as a £20m player in his homeland of Albania.
But so far, the duo have struggled to make a lasting impression on the side because of injuries. Of the two players, Barisic has delivered more on the pitch, quite literally, whilst Grezda has often toiled. The 7-1 demolition of Motherwell aside.
Both look like very good players, who might grow into their roles with a run in the team. But every time they get close to fitness, something new happens and they wind up crocked. It’s immensely frustrating.
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Were both players rushed back from injury too soon? They were carrying knocks when they joined the club. A risky move in itself.
If Gerrard can’t get them playing and find a level of consistency with them, there expensive transfer fees might blight his early Rangers tenure.
But if Gerrard and Rangers can manage the two players effectively, it’s a £4m gamble which might just pay off.
