Why Rangers must sign Jake Cooper in the January window
According to the Daily Express, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is still interested signing Millwall defender Jake Copper. The Gers are believed to have sent chief scout Andy Scoulding to watch the 23-year-old in action (h/t Daily Express).
The Ibrox side unsuccessfully tried to sign Cooper back in August. The Lions threw out several bids from the Glasgow giants that went as high as £3million (h/t Daily Express). While the London club managed to hold onto the defender in the summer, they could now lose the Reading academy graduate when the January transfer window opens.
Interestingly, Cooper has a release clause in his contract that will allow him to leave should Millwall get relegated or finish at the wrong end of the division.
Jake Cooper’s decision to stay put at the Den was hugely based on Millwall’s surprisingly good season following their return to the Championship. But since then, Millwall have endured a difficult start to the current campaign. Neil Harris’ side sits dangerously at the wrong end of the table, heading into the busy festive season. In fact, they have managed just four wins from 21 games so far this term.
Cooper has made 20 Championship appearances this season, scoring once and assisting six goals. At 6ft 6in, the 23-year-old is strong in the air and very few strikers will fancy taking him on in aerial duels. Good on the tackle, Cooper also has excellent concentration levels.
He is a threat from indirect set-piece situations, given his height. As a defender who can help out in scoring goals, Cooper would be a valuable addition for this Rangers side. Gerrard’s side are the league’s highest scorers but have conceded six goals more than direct rivals Celtic. Hence, it is clear that the Ibrox side needs to shore up their defence to sustain a title race.
Steven Gerrard needs to improve his defensive options this winter. Rangers’ centre-back options include Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic, Gareth McAuley and Joe Worrall. With both McAuley and Worrall set to be out of contract at the end of the season, Rangers should dive in the market for long-term replacements.
Quite clearly, Gerrard’s Rangers revolution is beginning to take shape at the Ibrox. The former England midfielder was brought in to help end Celtic’s domestic dominance and the Gers are major players in the Scottish title race alongside Celtic, Hearts and Kilmarnock.
Currently 2nd on the table with 31 points from 16 games, the Ibrox giants are also hoping to hobble through their Europa League group and into the last 32. Given the mixed fortunes that both clubs have enjoyed so far, Cooper could be convinced to leave the Den in January.
A move would be in everyone’s best interests with Millwall’s bargaining power also on the decrease as the player’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2020.
