Former Rangers full-back Alan Hutton is pleased to see the club linked with Jerry Yates amid potential problems at the top end of the pitch at Ibrox.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst currently has four options for the centre-forward position, with Antonio Colak seemingly the first choice at the club this season.
The Croatian has made 20 appearances and scored 13 goals, while Alfredo Morelos has been used as an alternative.
Fashion Sakala is another option, but he has been used as much on either wing as he has been through the middle in Glasgow, while Kemar Roofe has struggled with injuries and only returned to action earlier this month.
With Morelos out of contract in the summer, it appears that the club are focused on strengthening their strikeforce.
The Scottish Sun has reported that the Light Blues were one of 10 clubs to send scouts to watch Yates in action for Blackpool ahead of a potential move in January – and Hutton is a fan of the strategy.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “We’re uncertain what’s going to happen with Morelos moving forward. I think you always have to plan ahead, and that’s what Rangers are doing.
“I’m pretty sure that Rangers were interested in him [Yates] before. I think maybe Steven Gerrard had a look at him before, so he’s been in impressive form.
“I think when you look at Morelos possibly leaving; Roofe, the injury problems that he’s had, you’re going to have to bring somebody in, so this looks like a boy who knows where the back of the net is, so yeah, ideally preparing for the future.”
TIF Thoughts on Yates and Rangers…
Should Rangers sell Morelos in January?Yes
No
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The 25-year-old picked the right time to hit top form as he scored twice and assisted another goal as the Seasiders defeated Preston North End 4-2 last weekend with potential suitors in attendance.
Manager Michael Appleton hailed his ‘incredible form’ following the victory, with the 5ft 9in striker now on eight goals for the season and top of the Championship club’s scoring charts.
Given the precarious situation of Morelos, we feel it would be wise for Ross Wilson to invest in another centre-forward, and Yates seems like a suitable replacement should they allow the Colombian to depart in the winter instead of losing him for free at the end of the season.