It appears as though Steven Gerrard is in the running to be the next manager of Glasgow Rangers.
His previous spell between 2018 and 2021 saw the Ibrox side win their first Premiership title since 2011 before he left for Aston Villa.
He was savvy in the transfer market, bringing in a mix of young players with plenty of potential and experienced professionals who were ready to make an immediate impact.
One of his most underrated signings was Jermain Defoe, who enjoyed a productive Indian summer to his career in Glasgow.
Jermain Defoe’s Rangers statistics
The Englishman arrived at Rangers in January 2018 on an 18-month loan deal, scoring on his debut against Kilmarnock.
He ended up with eight goals during his first six months, before netting 17 across 32 games the following season. In January 2020, he signed a pre-contract agreement to join the club permanently and went on to play a bit-part role in the 2020/21 title-winning campaign.
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Jermain Defoe’s 2019/20 stats for Rangers (league only) |
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|---|---|
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Games |
20 |
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Goals |
13 |
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Goals per game |
0.7 |
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Scoring frequency (minutes) |
77 |
|
Minutes per game |
50 minutes |
|
Via Sofascore |
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Defoe scored only five times all season, but he won his first-ever domestic title in the process. He left Ibrox less than six months later, but the veteran striker was great to have around the training ground, offering advice and encouragement to the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe.
While the transfer strategy has changed over the years, if Gerrard is appointed as manager, could he make a similar sort of signing in Jamie Vardy this summer?
An English centre-forward with a host of experience in the Premier League, looking for one final crack at the big time. It makes sense when you think about it…
Why Rangers should sign Jamie Vardy
Ally McCoist has stated his desire to see Vardy in a Rangers’ shirt next season, and given the fact he is soon to be a free agent, a prospective move could be closer than many think.
Vardy will leave Leicester City this summer after 13 years, making his 500th appearance for the club last week while netting his 200th goal for the Foxes.
It has been a remarkable career in the Premier League for the Englishman and he was even named as a “living legend” by manager Ruud van Nistelrooy recently.
He might be 38, but a season or two in Scotland could still see him finding the back of the net on a regular basis, especially if used as an impact sub.
The striker – who has ten goals to his name this term, including nine in the league – has managed to create six big chances in the top flight, having a goal conversion percentage of 16% and averaging 1.7 shots per game.
Not excellent statistics by any stretch of the imagination, but for Rangers, he could certainly replicate the feats of Defoe should the Ibrox side come calling this summer.
It may go against the club’s ethos of prioritising younger talents, but Vardy would offer something different in the final third.
That something might just make all the difference towards the end of the season. That’s for sure.
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