Pundit names clause he'd include amid reports Rangers want to sign English attacker on loan

Rangers have “no point” of signing Joe Gelhardt if there is no purchase option at the end of a potential January loan deal, according to Stephen McGinn.

Leeds United forward Gelhardt, 22, has recently been linked with a temporary Ibrox switch in the winter window as Philippe Clement seeks further attacking options [TEAMtalk, 27 November].

Gelhardt has only played eight minutes of Championship football at Elland Road this season as he endures an extended period down Daniel Farke’s pecking order.

“He was always highly thought of as a young player. I don’t like loans unless it’s with the option to buy for Rangers,” McGinn told the Go Radio Football Show [27 November, 23:17].

“I don’t really get the point of it if not. We have no idea if they’ll be close enough in the title race to take in a short-term loan for a guy not playing much football.

“Beyond Dessers, there’s no one really coming off the bench able to do anything. Gelhardt might come in and score goals, but then if there isn’t an option to buy, there’s not much point.”

Joe Gelhardt a good fit for Rangers?

Rangers could certainly do a lot worse than bringing in Gelhardt in January, and in the past have done so.

The club have to continue their squad overhaul even if supplementing new recruits with loan deals, although a loan-to-buy agreement may suit Leeds United too.

The versatile attacker can operate as a spearhead of the front line, as a second striker or even a wide option, and has shown his abilities albeit sporadically in both the Premier League and Championship.

For a 22-year-old, he has been on the scene for a while and was brought to Leeds from Wigan Athletic for a fee of around £1million in 2020, and despite a predominantly poor goals return, possesses the work-rate which would really contribute at Ibrox.

Clement needs players who will run through brick walls for the cause, and Gelhardt can provide that burst of energy that can get fans off their seats for the right reasons.

The main flaw in this potential deal would be a concern of match sharpness, of which the young forward has gathered very little, with new arrivals required to hit the ground running.

In other Rangers news, Clement reacts to an integral new hierarchical appointment at the club.

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