OPINION
Rangers reportedly made an approach to sign Aston Villa attacker Ross McCormack on Thursday’s deadline day but failed to complete an unlikely move.
The Daily Mail claimed on their transfer news blog on Thursday (10.57am) that the 30-year-old striker, with Sunderland also said to be in talks with signing the former Ibrox ace.
However, the club failed to secure the signature of Scotland international McCormack, who is now set to remain with Aston Villa at least until the January transfer window.
Rangers need creativity in their side if they are to catch Old Firm rivals Celtic and battle them for the Scottish Premiership title come May 2018.
Kenny Miller currently sits in the number 10 role, where McCormack is best used as he grows older and loses a yard of pace. The former Leeds United star can still play as a striker, as well out wide.
But former Celtic striker Miller is not a natural number 10 and with fitness concerns still surrounding Niko Kranjcar and Carlos Pena, McCormack would have been crucial in their aim to rival Celtic.
McCormack became available after falling down the pecking order at Villa Park despite costing the Midlands outfit £12million last summer from Fulham, with the likes of Jack Grealish, Henri Lansbury and Josh Onomah ahead of him.
A move back to Ibrox was on the cards, after the former Cardiff ace managed just 10 appearances for the Light Blues during his short stint in the first team.
His versatility in the final third would have been crucial for Pedro Caixinha, but instead he will have to wait on the sidelines for a chance in Steve Bruce’s Villa side which is unlikely to be forthcoming.
Rangers should look to sign him in the January transfer window in what would be a top signing for the 54-time Scottish champions.