Rangers’ Summer Recruitment Could End Perfectly If Gerrard Secures Deal For Old Teammate

Rangers’ Summer Recruitment Could End Perfectly If Gerrard Secures Deal For Old Teammate

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard looks set to hold face to face discussions with former Liverpool teammate Martin Skrtel, according to reports.

Gerrard has tried to sign the Slovakian defender on two previous occasions, but this most recent attempt looks the most promising with the centre-back expected to travel to Scotland for talks.

Skrtel will be a free agent as of July 1st when he leaves Turkish club Fenerbahce, and while wages may still prove a stumbling block, it appears that the Gers are more confident that a deal can be done.

If they do manage to seal their eighth signing, the Scottish club would have had an extremely successful summer for all intents and purposes.


Rangers currently have three recognised centre-halves in the first team squad, excluding Gareth McAuley who will leave Ibrox at the end of this week.

Nikola Katic and George Edmundson are 22 and 21 years of age respectively, while the third, Connor Goldson, at 26, is the most seasoned defender of the trio.

Skrtel, who has 103 caps for Slovakia, as well as 320 appearances for Liverpool in a nine-year stay at Anfield, is a player who could add a great deal of experience to the squad.

At 34, he may not be the youngest anymore, but he is still very much a top drawer defender, playing 40 games for Fenerbahce last season, helping them to the last 32 of the Europa League.

His year was more challenging in the league as the Yellow Canaries flirted with relegation before finishing a respectable sixth. The Turkish side did, however, only concede 44 in 34 games despite their struggles.

Skrtel is no shrinking violet either. He won’t shirk a challenge and his physical presence will make him ideally suited to the Scottish Premiership.

His lack of pace would have to be compensated by those playing alongside him, but with youth on their side, Edmundson or Katic could prove an excellent foil.

Skrtel’s experience of the top level of football may also help these young centre-halves to develop, whilst also being a strong influence in the dressing room for Gerrard.

The pair are longtime friends following their time together on Merseyside and the Rangers manager will know exactly what to expect from his ex-teammate.

The club do have to be careful not to overextend themselves when offering a salary to Skrtel, but if a deal can be done for a sensible price, he could offer the backline so much-needed experience ahead of next season.