Rangers have been solid this season. Steven Gerrard’s charges are currently at the summit of the table but their arch-rivals Celtic do have a game in hand.
Brought in at the Ibrox to end Celtic’s domestic dominance, Gerrard has built a squad capable of going all the way in the title race. With the January transfer window just around the corner, we take a look at two players that Rangers must hold onto in the winter.
The Colombian was subjected to a £3.75 million bid from French Ligue side Bordeaux in the summer. The bid was promptly turned down with Gerrard describing it as “derisory” and “disrespectful”. But the club should brace themselves for more interest in the striker in January.
Morelos has been sensational since joining the Ibrox club from Finnish side HJK Helsinki in the summer of 2017. Last season, the 22-year-old was Rangers’ joint top scorer after netting 18 goals and eight assists in 43 games. This season, the Colombia international has scored 9 goals and provided 4 assists in 14 games so far.
His goalscoring exploits make him a valuable asset for Rangers. The Gers have a lot to prove and their hopes of overtaking Celtic will be heavily rooted in Morelos and his ability to find the back of the net regularly.
Although his current contract at the Ibrox runs until the summer of 2022, Rangers must do all they can to hold onto their prized asset.
Like Morelos, club captain James Tavernier won’t be short of potential suitors in the winter. He is a supremely talented attacking right-back, who is entering his peak. Already, Brighton & Hove Albion have been credited with a possible move for the right-back in January (h/t Daily Mail).
With Brighton looking tensely over their shoulders in the Premier League, manager Chris Hughton needs to strengthen his defensive options and Tavernier is certainly an excellent choice.
In recent times, the Newcastle youth graduate has been one of the most consistent Rangers players. Last season, Tavernier scored 7 goals and provided a further 8 assists in 33 league games. This season, he has already hit 6 goals and provided 8 assists in 14 league games – a record too good since he is a defender by trade.
Rangers must do everything they can to hold onto their star man. After a long time, they are heading in the right direction under Gerrard’s leadership. Losing Tavernier, a defender who can help out in scoring goals, would seriously derail their progress.
