In a big boost for the club, John Terry can’t play against Rangers even if he signs for Spartak Moscow.
The Chelsea legend has been looking for a club since failing to get promoted with Aston Villa. This has led him to potentially making the unexpected move to Russia for a big pay-day.
Spartak are one of three sides Rangers have drawn against in the group stages of the Europa League. The other opposition teams are Villarreal and Rapid Vienna.
Moscow, however, look set to make a big move for their main transfer target in Terry. Fortunately for Rangers, even if he signs on in Russia, the towering defender can’t play against Rangers in the group stages.
The UEFA deadline for squad lists has already passed, meaning clubs can’t now change anything on their listings. Terry, if he signs, will have to wait until the knock-out phase of the competition, should Spartak make it.
How do you look at it?
There’s two ways of looking at this situation, both positively and negatively.
Positively, and it’s self-explanatory, Terry would’ve been a huge obstacle in Rangers’ path. The centre-back is still one of the world’s best, and would’ve been the best defender any of Rangers’ forwards have come up against.
Having him missing out on the ties both at Ibrox and in Russia is a huge bonus to Steven Gerrard’s Gers side in terms of difficulty.
The Gers have been given a boost already with Villarreal’s injury concerns. But not having Terry up against them gives them a much better chance of toppling Spartak.
Yet, on the other side, how beneficial it could’ve been for the likes of Alfredo Morelos to face off with a defender of Terry’s stature.
It would’ve been a terrific learning experience for the Colombian in particular, and would’ve given a good barometer of where he is in his development. Not having Terry on the park is a blow to those who want to see the best players possible come to Ibrox.
Moscow are likely to have quality players regardless, but not having Terry in there is certainly a reduction in quality.