Andrea D’ Amico, the agent of Italian midfielder Gennaro ‘Rino’ Gattuso, has revealed that his client has been in talks with Rangers manager Ally McCoist about a possible return to the club he played for between 1997 and 1998. Charles Green, Rangers prospective owner, also revealed that he had met with D’Amico. Gattuso left AC Milan last week after spending 13 successful years with the club. He has, in the past, indicated his desire to end his career at Ibrox. It would have been easy to dismiss this sentiment as pandering to the Ibrox fans as he enjoyed as glittering career in Seria A. But recent developments suggest that there was substance and intent behind his previous statements. Gattuso seems anxious to return to Rangers because his wife Monica has family in Glasgow but he also appears to have a genuine attachment to the club.
Gattuso’s return to Ibrox is contingent on Rangers exiting administration because a transfer embargo was one of the penalties imposed as a result of this event. Regardless of how the club emerges from the current predicament, there is a realisation that financial circumstances are not going to improve dramatically for the foreseeable future. There is no prospect of European football next season and possibly for the next three years, depending on the course of events. Taking this into account, it appears incongruous that a player of Gattuso’s stature would wish to return to Rangers, regardless of his affections and family connections in the city.
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D’Amico, however, claims these problems do not concern his client. Quoted in the Daily Record he said: ‘It is Rino’s wish to come back to Rangers but first I have to speak to the people at the club to find out what the situation is.’ He added: ‘He knows all about the Rangers financial situation. We know it is difficult but we can work to find a solution.’ The lack of European football next season would, he claimed, not be a problem for Gattuso.
The majority of Rangers fans would welcome the return of Gattuso. He is fondly remembered and Rangers have basked in the success he has attained since leaving Ibrox. He would undoubtedly represent a morale boosting marquee signing for a club and support that has been subjected to much vilification in recent months as a result of the disastrous actions of Sir David Murray and Craig Whyte. But Rangers are currently well endowed in midfield, a competent striker is required more urgently. This could change dramatically over the course of the summer if players such as Steven Davis and Maurice Edu were to leave. If that were to happen then Gattuso really would represent a terrific signing, circumstances permitting.
There is another issue to consider. Rangers have number of young midfield players on the fringes of the first team including Rhys McCabe, Jamie Ness and Kyle Hutton, who has just completed a loan spell at Dunfermline. Succumbing to nostalgia might jeopardise their development. On the other hand, as a number of fans have pointed out, they might benefit from association with a player of Gattuso’s experience. A balance would have to be struck. Football considerations aside, seeing Gattuso in a Rangers jersey again would be a real thrill after a prolonged period of distress.
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lol nae chance! Rankers be dead soon! hh