New contracts for Rangers players needs to start being a priority for Steven Gerrard after James Tavernier signed up.
The club completed a fantastic piece of business in getting their captain on a new four-year deal. Tavernier is one of the mainstays of the side, and more deserving than most of a new contract.
But there are still several stars at the club who Rangers could be doing with also signing up. Lassana Coulibaly, Ovie Ejaria, and Ryan Kent look promising, but they’re only loan deals. At this early stage, they would look like really solid buys if the club got them over the line.
Yet, there’s another trio of players Gerrard could do with getting on longer-term deals. Here, we look at who those three players are.
ALLAN MCGREGOR
He only just signed in the summer, but getting Allan McGregor tied up on a longer-term contract is essential.
The Scotland number one has made a host of top saves during his time at Ibrox already. He was one of the main reasons that the club qualified for the Europa League so soundly. His domestic displays have also ensured the Gers have had a positive start to the season overall.
He brings such a composed and confident presence to the goalkeeper’s jersey. As opposed to Wes Foderingham, McGregor is truly the real deal. Whilst Foderingham is a good goalkeeper in his own right, you simply can’t compare the two for quality.
McGregor only signed in the summer on a two-year contract. Right now, that’s looking terribly short. The club’s new number one has several years of top shot-stopping left in him.
Because of that, Gerrard needs to sign him up on a longer-term deal and ensure his best years remain at Ibrox.
RYAN JACK
One of Pedro Caixinha’s few success stories as Rangers manager, Ryan Jack has come on well under Steven Gerrard.
Question marks persist about the former Aberdeen captain’s injury problems. The midfielder has missed several big matches already this season due to niggling injuries. The same, however, could be said about a few of Rangers’ midfielders this season.
Jack has still been one of Rangers’ best enforcers over the last year, and fans have really taken to him. Even during the bad spells last season, Jack was still heralded by supporters as a terrific find.
He’s already received glowing praise from the manager this term too. Gerrard once stated that he was “jealous” of a performance Jack had in Europa League qualifying. That should’ve done wonders for the Scottish international’s confidence.
During his time at Ibrox, he’s had two Scotland caps to his name, and is developing by the week.
If Rangers aren’t careful, someone could try to steal Jack away from them soon. The midfielder only signed a three year contract when he arrived in Glasgow. This means that there’s less than two years left on his current deal. Gerrard could do with sorting that out.
GLENN MIDDLETON
Rangers’ finest young prospect at the moment, Glenn Middleton is staggeringly out of contract at the end of the season.
The Gers plucked him on an 18-month development deal from Norwich City last January, and he’s been making waves ever since. Firstly impressing for the under-20s side, Middleton has quickly rose to the fringes of the first-team.
This is another young player that the manager loves. He’s been given six outings already this season, and bagged his first goal for the club against Dundee on Saturday.
There’s a lot to like about Middleton. A pacey player that can play on either side and take on opponents. He’s expected to have a lot of action under his belt this season after Jamie Murphy’s injury. He and Ryan Kent are likely to be tasked with providing the creativity from the left-wing.
Despite that, this increased exposure could attract attention from other clubs. After January, Middleton will be free to speak to other sides. Rangers, therefore, need to make sure clubs don’t get the opportunity to take advantage of that.
At the moment, he’s the best young talent since Billy Gilmour. For that reason alone, he needs signed up ASAP.
