Rangers have always tried to exploit the Premier League loan market in the modern era.
The Gers signed the likes of Kyle Bartley or Arsenal or Phil Barsdley of Manchester United over a decade ago and it’s a market which remains crucial in the club’s bid for talent.
When Steven Gerrard took charge at Ibrox, the Rangers manager wasted no time in signing the likes of Ovie Ejaria and Ryan Kent on loan from former club Liverpool.
Even last season Rangers had Brighton forward Abdallah Sima on loan at the club, with the Gers clear they want the Senegalese back at Ibrox by the end of the summer.
Now, one former Rangers assistant has revealed the Ibrox club’s ’desperate’ efforts to sign a Liverpool midfielder who has been tipped for the very top.
McAllister: Rangers Jones-ing for Liverpool hero
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has had an increasing role of influence in the Anfield squad ever since breaking through at the club as a teenager.
Now 23-years-old, Jones has over 130 appearances under his belt for Liverpool and has been heavily involved in Arne Slot’s pre-season preparations.
Curtis Jones even scored in Liverpool’s 3-0 pre-season humbling of Manchester United in the USA.
But Gary McAllister has revealed that whilst Jones was making a big impression on the Liverpool squad, Rangers were trying to tempt the midfielder north.
The ex-Rangers assistant was at the club with Steven Gerrard from the summer of 2018 to the November of 2021 but isn’t clear when the interest was live.
Rangers were actually linked to Jones in the football press in the summer of 2019.
“We did our best to try to get him up the road,” McAllister told LFCTV.
“Obviously, Steven had worked with him and all the guys at Rangers were desperate to get him but he was unavailable.”
Later touching on the player’s style, McAllister said: “The debate is whether he is a No.6, No.6 or No.10. I think if he can show he’s got the ability to sit in front of the centre-halves, that’s good.
“If you can run forward and get yourself in the box and score goals, that’s good. Players as a 10 when you’re getting into little pockets on the half-turn, which I think he did most of his younger career.”
Rangers-linked striker eyed for £65m swoop
It’s no surprise Rangers were trying to get Curtis Jones to Glasgow during the time of Steven Gerrard.
The former England U21 international was one of the hottest young properties in the English game and Rangers would’ve hoped to give him game time in Glasgow.
As things transpired Jones would stay put on Merseyside and now the midfielder is expected to grab his opportunity at the Premier League giants this season.
Jones wasn’t the only Liverpool academy star linked to Rangers during the reign of Steven Gerrard either.
Fans will remember the aforementioned Ovie Ejaria and Ryan Kent but Sheyi Ojo also spent time on loan at Glasgow during Gerrard’s tenure.
Rangers were also repeatedly linked to then Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke but were eventually usurped by AFC Bournemouth.
The England striker has impressed with the Cherries and as a result, the likes of the Telegraph are reporting Spurs have a serious interest in the £65m-rated hitman.
