Rangers, who currently sit seventh in the Scottish Premier League table after the opening four matches of the 2018/19 season, recently signed versatile defender Gareth McAuley on a free transfer – but could this be a move Steven Gerrard later regrets?
What’s the issue?
Whilst there is no doubt that the 38-year-old has the potential to prove his talent in the top flight of Scottish football this season if given the chance, Gareth McAuley is simply not needed in Steven Gerrard’s side.
With the centre-back partnership of Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic all but set in stone, with both the Englishman and Croatian starting all four of the opening league matches, the Premier League veteran will be lucky to feature at all in the heart of the Gers’ defensive line.
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Rangers captain James Tavernier, who has made just four appearances shy of 150 in all competitions for the club, has shone in the right full-back position from the outset of this campaign, leaving McAuley unlikely to feature at right-back either.
Despite the fact McAuley joined the ranks at the Ibrox on a free transfer, they look set to pay the wages of a player who is unlikely to feature much this season.
What are Steven Gerrard’s options?
Gareth McAuley, who joined Rangers in September after his contract expired at West Bromwich Albion earlier this summer, made over 200 appearances in all competitions for the Baggies during his seven-year spell at the Hawthorns.
The Northern Ireland international has represented his country on 79 occasions, but looks set to spend the majority of his time on the touchlines at the Ibrox throughout this season’s campaign.
Having qualified for this seasons UEFA Europa League, Steven Gerrard may choose to deploy McAuley sporadically throughout the European competition, to give rest to the starting members of the Gers’ defensive line.
At the age of 38, McAuley, who is set to join the rest of the Rangers squad following this week’s international break, may be content playing second fiddle to the likes of Goldson, Katic and Tavernier, but with Joe Worrall, Jon Flanagan, Ross McCrorie and more vying for spaces in the backline, the versatile defender may find it hard pressed to even feature on the bench.
Having reportedly received interest from a number of English Championship sides, McAuley was certainly a sort after player following his somewhat bitter end to his time at West Bromwich Albion.
But, having made the move across the border, Rangers may have just acquired a player they simply do not need.
