Phil Thompson heaped praise on the transfer business Rangers have been able to get done in January and in particular highlighted the arrival of Jermain Defoe as well as Steven Davies.
The Sky Sports pundit credited Steven Gerrard as being an attraction for the Gers that helped lure players such as Defoe and Davies to Ibrox before claiming it was like the Graeme Souness era all over again.
Thompson admitted that Rangers were bringing players in their 30’s to the club and utilising loan deals to get players over the line, but claimed that Gerrard had to do that in order to bridge the gap to Celtic.
“My goodness Steven Gerrard bringing in Defoe, bringing in Steven Davies, would they have actually gone there? Or sensed that would have been a good move for them, absolutely,” said Thompson on Sky Sports News (Thursday January 31st, 13:45).
“I’m not surprised (how well he has taken to management) when he did take it, I did think it was a big risk for Stevie, I did say that but I did say if he did go they were going to have to back him because you could see last season between Celtic and Rangers that they were so far behind, player wise.
“It was a big gap to turn around and he has done that with a lot of loans he has had to do it but people are now going to Rangers again, they want to go there again, they want to go up there for a challenge.
“He has turned it around, Defoe and Davies going up there is like the Graeme Souness era when you saw English talent, yes maybe they’re all 30 somethings going there but at least he is being the attraction.”
OPINION
Rangers fans will be buzzing after hearing Thompson’s verdict as not only is it filled with praise but he offers up at defence for those looking to criticise the club. The Gers will get stick from rival clubs about signing players the wrong side of 30 and for relying on loan deals, but if gets them pushing for trophies and having a successful season, it would have all been worth it. Thompson understandably heaps a lot of praise on the job Gerrard has done regarding transfers since arriving and it’s easy to believe that players are tempted by the prospect of working with him. While Gerrard is an attractive prospect for potential signings, the Gers have made sure they’ve made the most of his presence and signed players who will make difference. Rangers fans will be hoping they’ve got enough business done to see them do well in the second half of the season.