RANGERS manager Steven Gerrard revealed last night that the main focus of new sporting director Ross Wilson’s first transfer window at the club will be “downsizing” the first team squad at Ibrox. While that term tends to be loaded in a football context, the Englishman is correct to point out the sound business sense which would lie behind moving on costly fringe players such as Eros Grezda. Currently running with a 26-man squad, Gerrard is keen to move the head count down “by two or three” and doesn’t envisage too much in the way of incoming January transfers.
“I’m not sure players will be out there in January to improve on what we’ve got,” said Gerrard. “Listen, if something pops up where we think it’ll strengthen us, of course we’ll look into it.
“But the next window will be more to downsize in terms of numbers. Because there are two or three who need to go and play. I’m finding it hard to get them into the 18 so it’ll be more about downsizing than adding to it.
“If a player becomes available that’s better than what we’ve got, myself and Ross will look at it. But the squad’s in a good place. It’s not perfect, there’s still some areas where we can get better.
“But is January the right time to do that? There’s still loads of time for injuries and suspensions to happen, before deciding if you go in or not.
“But sitting here right now, I think it’ll be very hard to find someone in January who’s better than a Ryan Jack, a Connor Goldson, a Joe Aribo or an Alfredo Morelos. I’m not sure those players will be out there in the market where we’re shopping.
“It’s an awkward window anyway. We were ever so lucky that there was a [Steven] Davis and a [Jermain] Defoe there last January. We did so well getting them. Looking back on that window – and seeing where we are now – those were two fantastic bits of business.”
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