This afternoon’s 1-1 draw at Dundee proves that Steven Davis and Dominic Solanke have to be Rangers’ two main transfer targets.
January will see Rangers look to bolster their squad in a bid to catch Celtic at the top of the Premiership. If recent form is anything to go by, however, those two players have to be transfer targets number one and two respectively.
Rangers were without both Scott Arfield and Alfredo Morelos for their trip to Dens Park this afternoon. Their flair going forward and ability to hurt opposition sides in their own respective ways were sorely missed.
Their replacements in the team were Jordan Rossiter and Kyle Lafferty respectively. Without Arfield, Rangers were without a natural number 10. Ryan Jack won the ball on plenty of occasions and broke forward, but he’s no goal threat. Davis would provide the Gers with that, however, and brings a winning mentality to Ibrox. He isn’t a natural number 10 and is box-to-box, but he’s a real goal threat.
On the other hand, Lafferty looked totally out of form and sync with the rest of the team this afternoon. He doesn’t have the quality to step up and put teams to the sword in the way Rangers need him to.
Morelos’ temperament means good back-up is essential
With Morelos being such a hot-head on the pitch, a solid back-up forward is necessary. Lafferty really should be performing better than he is, as he’s capable of it. The fact is, however, that he isn’t, and Solanke would be a massive upgrade if it was to happen.
The England Under-21 starlet hasn’t featured whatsoever for Liverpool this season. This is despite the fact that Jurgen Klopp wanted to keep him at the club last summer.
He has, however, been impressing with England’s Under-21s, scoring against the likes of Denmark and Italy respectively. He has terrific scoring pedigree at a young age, and could easily score goals in the Scottish Premiership.
It’s easy to say Rangers don’t need him, or that Lafferty should still be fine as a second choice. The fact is, however, that Lafferty has been far from a good second choice, and isn’t stepping up when the club need him to.
Davis and Solanke would inject a bit of genuine Premier League class into Rangers’ season. It could be the step they need to take the club to the next level.
Is it worth doing for Gerrard? Never-mind that, it should be a top priority.
