Barry Ferguson believes Steven Gerrard will dip into the transfer market to sign a replacement for Nikola Katic after the defender's recent injury blow.
The Rangers defender suffered a crucial ligament injury during training and will be sidelined for a pro-longed period of time.
The Ibrox club have Connor Goldson, FIlip Helander and George Edmundson at their disposal at centre-half.
But former Gers skipper Ferguson thinks Gerrard will want to bring in a temporary replacement while Katic is out.
He told PLZ Soccer: “It is a big blow first and foremost for Katic.
“To have no football for the last three months and then come into pre-season training and you are buzzing.
“To then get a cruciate ligament injury, it will be a tough one to take.
“It isn’t as long a road as it was a number of years ago. You can be back within five or six months now.
“But he is going to miss a big part of the season.
“I would imagine the manager would dip into the transfer market to get a centre half.
“He has four vying for two places and competition is always good, so don’t be surprised if Rangers go out and try and get another centre back in.”
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Ferguson also insists Rangers need to be signing players capable of making an instant impact in the first team.
He added: “I think the signings Steven is going to make, they have to be players who are going to come into the starting XI.
“They have to be real trusted characters with a good mentality. They are difficult to find and they cost money.
"But I think Steven knows how important this season is going to be.
“The first six months of last season were really good for Rangers but when they got into the business end, that’s where certain players let them down.
“He has made it clear guys that are going to be coming in need to have the strong mentality that is needed to play with the pressure you get when you play for a club like Rangers.”
