Ferguson reacts as Rangers linked with move to sign striker once compared to Wayne Rooney

Barry Ferguson says Rangers should look elsewhere than Joe Gelhardt, citing a lack of football played this year by the Leeds United striker.

The ex-Gers skipper, speaking on the Go Radio Football Show [27 November, 22:50], would prefer his old club to bring players to Ibrox in January who are oven-ready having experienced plenty of action this season.

Gelhardt, once likened to Wayne Rooney by Merseyside Boys manager Tim Wyatt (Daily Maily, October 2021), has played just eight minutes of Championship football in two substitute appearances for Daniel Farke’s Leeds this term.

A winter loan is looking increasingly likely with Rangers one of the clubs linked [TEAMtalk, 27 November] but Light Blues legend Ferguson is unconvinced.

“He’s not played much football this season for Leeds. It’s one that you need to wait and see, Ferguson said.

“I think if Rangers are signing players, they need players who have been playing. You can do all the training you want, but the best fitness is playing games on a football pitch.

“He might need to catch up with that. I can’t really say I’ve seen much of him in action.”

Rangers interested in Joe Gelhardt move

Rangers certainly need to get their recruitment spot on in January, and Gelhardt – whilst talented – comes with that risk element of potential rust.

He has been starved of football this season at Elland Road, when he would stroll into many Championship line-ups, with Leeds boss Farke preferring a one-man frontline with three in behind.

Leeds have a compact squad, but are blessed with versatile attacking options which pushes Gelhardt far down the pecking order, and Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement could sense an opportunity to give him a new lease of life.

The 22-year-old will be aching for a fresh start himself, which makes a loan-to-buy deal the possibly most practical option.

It would also serve as competition for the likes of Cyriel Dessers, while Gelhardt could also play off the number nine as a second forward.

In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist’s recent Gers comments had Gabby Agbonlahor in stitches live on air.

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