Rangers will look to loan out young centre-back Lewis Mayo and sign a replacement for crocked star Nikola Katic in this transfer window.
Rangers’ backline has been rocked by Katic’s training ground cruciate injury which will keep him out until towards the end of 2020 at the earliest.
It means a space has opened up in the side with many of the Rangers fans believing 20-year-old Mayo could fill Katic’s boots.
But Gerrard appeared to pour cold fire over any those hopes as he revealed the Ibrox club are on the hunt for defensive reinforcements.
“We have the luxury of Calvin Bassey being able to play as a centre-back too,” said Gerrard [Daily Record].
“But I need to replace Katic because I need four good centre-halves if we are looking at what we are hoping is going to be another 60-game season.
“We love Mayo. His attitude has been fantastic and he has a really good chance.
“But I think he needs game time rather than to be number four centre-back.
“We will keep him in until we get the right one in and then we will look to Lewis out to get him 30 games for his development.
“But I have to be selfish with Lewis in the short term.”
Gerrard clearly wants Mayo to gain greater experience of the men’s game before making the big step up to Ibrox first team.
The youngster spent a brief spell at Partick Thistle before the shutdown and now the club will look for a similar solution this year.
Rangers also have Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and George Edmundson as centre-back options at the club.
