Writing for Sky Sports, Kris Boyd has criticised some summer signings for underperforming at Rangers and has predicted that the club will need to invest further to achieve success.
The Gers are currently in limbo with the fate of the Scottish Premiership as yet undecided amid the global health crisis.
However, even if matches are resumed down the line, there’s next to no chance of the club winning the league title. They are currently 13 points adrift of leaders Celtic, albeit with a game in hand.
‘It is up to Steven [Gerrard] what he wants to do, there is no doubt that he has the backing of the Rangers fans and the club,’ writes Boyd [Sky Sports].
‘When the season comes back, is he going to be backed? There’s no doubt that there needs to be fresh investment again to progress. Some of the players that have come in have not lived up to it.
‘Whatever happens, he is going to have to come back and start really well and then see what happens from there. Rangers need to start challenging for titles, there is no getting away from it.’
Verdict
These are pretty fair comments from Boyd. The majority of Bears are still supportive of Gerrard, but with this campaign almost certain to end without silverware, he needs to produce tangible success across 2020/21.
Plenty of new faces have been brought in over the past year and some have equipped themselves relatively well.
Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo’s performances have lacked consistency but both have produced in some big moments, while Filip Helander looked the part at centre-back before suffering a serious injury.
As the former striker suggested, there are plenty who haven’t impressed since their arrival, though. The likes of Sheyi Ojo, Brandon Barker and Jordan Jones haven’t created anywhere near enough in wide areas, for example.
Ever since the team’s dramatic dip in form following the winter break, it has been clear that more quality is needed if the Gers are going to compete with Celtic over the course of a full season.
Significant investment will naturally be required for signings, but amid the global health crisis, there’s uncertainty around what the transfer market will look like.
