OPINION
The Scottish Premiership title is yet to be decided this season, but Rangers boss Steven Gerrard will definitely have one eye on signings for next term.
According to the Scottish Sun, the Gers are on the trail of Chelsea centre-back Tomas Kalas, who is currently on loan at Bristol City this season – however, they also have bitter rivals Celtic for company when it comes to the Czech defender.
With Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic the only two centre-backs likely to be at Ibrox beyond the summer – Gareth McAuley’s contract runs out this year and Joe Worrall is set to return to Nottingham Forest – so the need for a centre-half is more paramount than ever.
Kalas, who is Chelsea’s longest serving player but has been loaned out seven times, would represent a great signing for Gerrard, and at the age of 25-years-old, he clearly has a bright future ahead of him.
The Blues would no doubt be open to the prospect of loaning him out once again, but the Gers must push them into making it a permanent switch, as there is evidently no playing future at Stamford Bridge for him.
This is the best option for his career, and Rangers must make it a reality by winning the race for the international when the summer transfer window opens. He has been a mainstay in the Bristol City team this season – making 29 appearances – and he can definitely bring some experience to a back four who has not been performing at its peak this season.
Kalas is a powerful centre-back who is comfortable with the ball at his feet so would fit in to Gerrard’s system nicely.
Rated at £5 million, Rangers would be more than able to afford his transfer fee and the wages that would come along with it, and there is no doubt that he would form a solid partnership with the likes of Goldson.
Either way, Rangers could play a blinder by signing Kalas ahead of Celtic as the 25-year-old enforcer could be a force to be reckoned with in Scotland.