OPINION
There may well be a few Rangers fans looking in sorrow at the state Aston Villa find themselves in – but Steven Gerrard should be looking for the next piece in the puzzle to stop Celtic.
The Villans appear to be in a complete financial crisis – something the Light Blues faithful will know all too well about – and are facing the prospect of some serious sanctions, having missed a HMRC tax bill just days after losing the lucrative play off final.
Failure to gain promotion to the top flight has hit hard and the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Phil Hay is stating that nearly every single player on their books is up for sale in a bid to garner the funds to save the club.
Re: Aston Villa. Was told last week that they're willing to listen to offers for virtually every player. Does sound like hard times ahead. Not the only Championship club feeling the pinch.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 6, 2018
These tough times could lead to a bargain swoop or two, with Villa desperate for the immediate cash, and although Rangers might still be working off a stringent budget, there is one man who is perfect for Ibrox.
Australian international Mile Jedinak is a no-nonsense midfield enforcer who, despite being 33-years-old, has lost none of his passion, guile or downright fire to battle the opposition off the ball.
In Scotland, he could be compared to Celtic’s Scott Brown for his style of play, but were the former Palace man to move north of the border, the Hoops favourite would have a real battle on his hands where he has previously walked all over the Gers in Old Firm derbies.
With 75 caps, 90 Premier League and 150 Championship outings to his name, Jedinak is a top quality defensive midfielder and all 6’1″ of his imposing figure would brush the 5’7″ (source: Transfermarkt) Brown off the ball with ease – ending his dominance in Glasgow.
It is a fight fans would be desperate to watch, and it would be a huge step for Rangers in their bid to catch their fierce rivals under the stewardship of Steven Gerrard.