Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has made a transfer concession, admitting that he needs more quality in his squad amid a poor run of domestic form, as quoted by the Glasgow Times.
The Gers entered 2020 in a strong position on the back of an Old Firm win, with a Premiership title and Scottish Cup both still on the cards.
However, a pronounced dip in form has ensured that the former is highly unlikely while the latter is now impossible.
The Gers have dropped points on four occasions in just over a month of league action, while they were knocked out of the cup by Hearts on Saturday evening.
The slump has prompted the manager to admit that not only is a different type of midfield player perhaps needed but that the Gers need additional quality throughout the squad.
“There might be an element of truth in a certain opinion about that,” said Gerrard, as quoted by the Glasgow Times. “Maybe we do need a type of player who can help us when the game swings from being possession-based to a more in-your-face style battle.”
“But I can’t swing from game to game because after Wednesday night the opinion out there was, ‘Rangers are close, Rangers are flying, Rangers have got some right good players.’
“Do we need a few more players of a higher level to support the players we have now? Yeah, One hundred per cent. I won’t completely tear up the philosophy we’ve been using and start again and go a completely different way.
“Will I adapt? I’d like to adapt and solve problems in a completely different way. One hundred per cent.”
Verdict
This is quite a big admission from Steven Gerrard and one which may concern Rangers supporters.
The manager has been backed in the transfer market across four windows now, but here he’s admitted to lacking a type of player who is specifically suited to domestic football.
He’s conceded that on a week to week basis there’s perhaps a lack of steel in the Gers midfield.
What’s more, he feels that there isn’t yet enough quality across the group. That’s tough to disagree with based on recent wretched showings at Hearts and St Johnstone.
Yet, this is his squad now and the vast majority of the players now at the club were brought in under his supervision.
If there isn’t enough quality in the team at present, yet the bulk of the players signed in the summer, including Brandon Barker, Jordan Jones, Jake Hastie, Greg Stewart and Sheyi Ojo can’t get find a regular place in that side, what does that say about the recruitment strategy?
How long will it take to get a truly competitive group together?
