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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Ross Pilcher

Steven Gerrard needs Rangers signings to fulfil 'variety' plan and keep others thinking

Steven Gerrard admits he needs new players to stop Rangers becoming too predictable.

The Ibrox side were unstoppable last season, going the Scottish Premiership campaign unbeaten en route to a first title in a decade.

But Gerrard knows the Gers will have to continue evolving to avoid standing still.

They’re the team to beat just now and opposing managers will have been studying intently to come up with a way of inflicting a first domestic defeat on the champions.

The ability to change the system and spring a surprise could prove vital in preventing that, and Gerrard plans on signing players that will allow him to do just that.

“Once I have the right personnel in I have to have the variety because some managers will try to stop this system,” he explained

“They’ve seen it for a number of years now and within games I might have to try to tweak or change something, just to keep people thinking.

“That’s where the players have got to be quite clever and listen to the information we give them.”

Cedric Itten isn’t a new face but his return after the off-season has had a similar effect.

The Swiss striker found the going touch last year but still managed to contribute goals.

He netted Rangers’ second in yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal and Gerrard has been delighted with the 24-year-old so far this pre-season.

“He came in last year during lockdown,” he told Rangers TV.

“He hasn’t been able to go out of his apartment, he hasn’t been able to have family here. It was a real tough year for Cedric.

“When he came on, he was a real good option for us from the bench.

“And when I asked him to start, he never let me down.

“He came back for pre-season smiling, full of energy, ready to prove his point and stake a claim. He’s certainly doing himself no harm at the moment.”

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