Steven Gerrard and his new-look Rangers side might be getting ready to play their first league match of the season today against last year’s runners-up Aberdeen, but he’s still looking to strengthen his side, according to the Daily Record.
They claim that Rangers are targeting a loan move for 21-year-old Bournemouth defender Jack Simpson, who would become Gerrard’s 11th signing of the summer, and that Cherries boss Eddie Howe has “agreed to let him join Rangers”.
The centre-back would join Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic in a fight for places at the heart of Rangers’ defence.
Simpson, who came up through the youth ranks at Bournemouth, made his senior breakthrough last season and signed a new contract in January.
The Daily Record claims that he is highly rated by Howe but that the manager has given his green light to the deal.
Good move for Rangers?
Indeed. Simpson is very highly thought of at Bournemouth after breaking into the senior team last season. He made one Premier League appearance and two in the EFL Cup, where he impressed against Middlesbrough, scoring one goal and assisting another. He also played 90 minutes in the recent pre-season friendly against Real Betis. We think it would be a good move for Rangers but also for Simpson, although game-time might be an issue, with Katic and Goldson looking so good.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
Gerrard has been busy looking for another centre-back who can compete for places at the back, and was reported to be looking at Jake Cooper and Curtis Tilt. Neither of these materialised and Simpson would seem like the perfect solution. With Bournemouth manager Howe agreeing to the deal it looks like this should be a formality, as long as wages aren’t a problem. We can’t see Simpson objecting to a move to play on one of the biggest stages in the UK.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10