Now we’re a few months into the season, I thought it would be a good time to look at new Rangers boss Steven Gerrard’s summer signings and rate them out of ten.

Gerrard’s Gers team have been extremely impressive in Europe but haven’t been as consistent in Scotland’s top flight.

Obviously this is purely subjective and feel free to use the comments section to tell me who I’ve over or under marked!

CONNOR GOLDSON – £3.4m – Brighton & Hove Albion – 8/10  

For me, the centre back has been Gerrard’s best defender so far this term.

The former Seagull gives the Gers defence more stability at the back, he’s decent in the air and he can play it out from the back too. The twenty-five year old is a leader in defence and Gerrard is clearly confident in Goldson’s ability as he plays regularly in the backline.

Has had some iffy moments but the good points currently far outweigh any negatives. He seems to get what it means to play for the Light Blues.

NIKOLA KATIC – £2.2m – Slaven Belupo – 6/10 

The Croat started well and looked very composed with his passing. But unfortunately he’s been a bit more erratic as of late and has fallen behind Joe Worrall in recent weeks.

Still young at twenty-two years of age and he’s also still learning about playing in a new country. If he can rediscover his early season form then he should be OK at Ibrox.

JOE WORRALL – Loan – Nottingham Forest – 6/10 

The Englishman has been decent without really wowing me.

Definitely seems eager enough to prove himself in the Scottish Premiership but still seems a bit rough around the edges. He can look very nervy at times and many a Gers fan would prefer to see Katic reclaim his starting place over the loanee.

ALLAN MCGREGOR – Free – Hull City – 9/10 

Has been the Gers signing of the season thus far.

The returning number one makes top class saves when called upon and the defence look more confident when he’s playing in between the sticks.

Has past experience of winning things with Rangers and the veteran is still one of the best goalies in Scotland. Needs to watch his behaviour when opposing forwards are in and around him!

BORNA BARISIC – £2.4m – NK Osijek – 7/10 

The Croatian international impressed Gerrard when The Gers knocked out Osijek in the Europa League.

Borna has a lovely left foot and offers great delivery with it. Committed to the cause and looks to be the club’s best option at left back.

Has recently been out with an injury and the starting eleven have been missing him.

EROS GREZDA – £2m – NK Osijek – 4/10 

Steven Gerrard stated when Grezda signed that he’ll excite the Light Blues faithful:

“But he is an excellent player and the fans will love him because he can contribute in the final third.”

“He’s really quick, very direct and he comes in with international experience.”

Unfortunately the Albanian international arrived injured and he’s so far struggled to regain full fitness and shine in a Gers shirt.

Has looked a yard off of pace but we can only truly gauge his ability when he shrugs off the ring rust.

LASSANA COULIBALY – Loan – Angers – 8/10 

Coulibaly has been a dynamo in the Rangers midfield. Can be the N’Golo Kante type that wins back possession but he also has the ability to get forward and help the team in attacking areas.

The Ibrox support have already taken to him and you’ve got to imagine that the club would like to sign him on a permanent basis if possible. Offers consistency and plenty of energy to the team’s midfield.

The twenty-two year old also has the potential to become even better.

UMAR SADIQ – LOAN – AS Roma – 2/10

The mark might be awfully low and it’s true that the young loanee hasn’t played much for the Glasgow giants but what we’ve seen hasn’t been impressive.

Looks too raw to be considered a Rangers first teamer; has a poor first touch and hasn’t been composed in front of goal.

Still has time on his side, just not sure it will happen for him in the Scottish Premiership.

RYAN KENT – Loan – Liverpool – 8/10

The Liverpool winger has really found his feet in the last month and half. He’s added consistency to his game and can be a real handful when he’s direct and running at defenders.

Has scored three times so far and I’d expect that to rise now he seems to have a measure of the league.

Would be another one that the Gers gaffer would love to bring in on a longterm basis and he seems to enjoy it up here too.

OVIE EJARIA – Loan – Liverpool – 7/10 

Another loan signing from Liverpool and he too has impressed. Likes to get on the ball and make things happen.

Probably hasn’t been as dangerous or as consistent as Kent but you can tell that Ejaria has plenty of skills and a willingness to work hard for the team.

Just needs to have more good days and not so mixed with his performances. Still only twenty years old, so maybe he’ll be one that improves as each month passes.

SCOTT ARFIELD – Free – Burnley – 7/10 

Has settled in well and it’s clear that Rangers were his boyhood heroes as he plays with passion.

Scott has been one of Gerrard’s more reliable performers and looks to be comfortable when given the ball and that gives the team confidence.

He’s had a few injury and fitness issues that have hampered his season and I think his manager would want to see him get forward more and help out the attackers.

JON FLANAGAN – Free – Liverpool – 4/10

Jon was a player that Stevie had played with during their days at Liverpool but you can see that the full-back has declined in terms of performance.

The twenty-five year old does offer versatility and is a decent back-up but he’s not quick enough or what Rangers need going forward.

Can be clumsy and ponderous, if everyone’s fit he’s not good enough to be in the first eleven.

KYLE LAFFERTY – £500K – HEARTS – 7/10 

Arrived with a bang, scoring twice on his second debut with the club. In total, he has four goals in his seven outings for the Light Blues.

Is the Gers second best scoring threat after Alfredo Morelos and he offers more physicality up-top. Has shown in the past he’s a player for the big occasion and showed that again with his vital equaliser in the Europa League match against Villarreal.

Has had a muscle problem, which has kept him out of the team recently, but Rangers need the experienced forward back asap!

GARETH MCAULEY – Free – West Bromwich Albion – N/A

The ageing centre-back has yet to pull on a Light Blues shirt, so it would be extremely unfair to mark him at this stage.

With Katic and Worrall offering up some erratic performances, the Northern Irishman could find himself in the team once he’s back to full fitness.

Posted on November 7th, 2018 by scott
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