Steven Gerrard failed to mention Nnamdi Ofoborh on Tuesday during a rundown of his fresh options for next season, suggesting that he may not be in the Rangers manager’s short-term plans [RangersTV].
The Bournemouth midfielder signed a pre-contract agreement with the Gers during the winter transfer window before joining Wycombe Wanderers for his second loan spell at Adams Park in two seasons.
The Chairboys were officially relegated from the Championship at the weekend but Ofoborh wasn’t part of the matchday squad for the tenth fixture in a row.
After going straight into the starting XI in February, he dropped down the pecking order before picking up an injury which compounded his problems.
He will soon have a chance to start afresh when he moves to Ibrox on a four-year contract, but it doesn’t sound like he features prominently in Steven Gerrard’s plans for 2021/22.
During Tuesday morning’s press conference, the Gers boss spoke at length about the club’s other January additions – Scott Wright and Jack Simpson – as well as recent pre-contract signing Fashion Sakala [RangersTV].
He suggested that all three would play a big part next season after benefitting from full pre-seasons and that further signings would follow in the upcoming window.
However, Ofoborh wasn’t mentioned at all.
It could well be a sign that the Nigeria youth cap is seen as a player for the future rather than one who could slot straight into the starting XI or matchday squad.
That may always have been the plan or perhaps things have changed given Ofoborh’s lack of playing time in recent months.
Rangers need more depth in midfield, but even if the manager is short on numbers, it does seem unlikely that a player with less than 40 senior appearances to his name could push established internationals like Steven Davis, Scott Arfield, Glen Kamara and Ryan Jack.
Perhaps after pre-season, Ofoborh will head out elsewhere on loan in order to build up experience.
In other news, Rangers are reportedly eyeing a ‘sensational’ move for a talented English teenager.
