A leading Scottish journalist has claimed that Rangers manager Steven Gerrard was “keen” on bringing Hibs Premiership striker Kevin Nisbet to the club this summer.
Herald columnist Hugh MacDonald was speaking to PLZ Soccer and reflecting on the Ibrox club’s transfer business over the summer.
Whilst MacDonald praised the Gers for retaining their top assets, the experienced journalist did claim he club has not “significantly” made the team any better.
However, the MacDonald claims that Gerrard wanted to sign another striker in the window – despite moving for Fashion Sakala – and explains that Scotland international Nisbet is admired by Stevie G.
“Steven Gerrard’s rhetoric in the close season was ‘OK we’ll trim down the squad but anyone coming in will need to be real quality, we want to make this team better’,” said MacDonald.
“He hasn’t made the team made better with the people who’ve come in, not significantly so, but what was really crucial to him was that he didn’t lose Morelos, Kent or Goldson either.
“I know he was keen on bringing in quality.
“He was keen on bringing in a striker, I know he was keen on Nisbet, and for whatever reason, he couldn’t that over the line.”
Journalist links not the first mention of Rangers alongside Hibs striker Nisbet
Scotland star Nisbet, 24, is a key player for Hibs and this isn’t the first time Rangers have been linked to the forward.
The Gers were reportedly tailing the player way back in his Dunfermline days [Glasgow Times] and more recently have been linked by the Daily Record.
But should Rangers have genuine interest in the player then they will surely need to cough up amid links to the likes of Birmingham City, Old Firm rivals Celtic and even Spartak Moscow.
According to the Daily Mail, the Hibees are expecting £4m to sign the striker and Rangers are already well-stocked up front.
The Gers boast Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe, Fashion Sakala and Jermain Defoe as striker options, whilst Swiss international Cedric Itten is out on loan.
Speaking of Itten, read more about how the striker netted against one of Europe’s powerhouses early on in his spell back on the continent.
