Rangers are reportedly among the clubs who have shown an interest in taking Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt on loan in January.
The scoring stats make grim reading for under-fire Philippe Clement with the Light Blues netted just 17 goals from 12 rounds of Scottish Premiership action – the same number as struggling St Johnstone who are facing a relegation scrap. Cyriel Dessers has failed to convince since his move to Rangers and £6million man Danilo has faced an injury-plagued time in Govan.
Hamza Igamane has proved cover throughout the season but the inexperienced 22-year-old has been thrown in at the deep end with the Belgian boss previously stating the Moroccan faced a step up in “physical level” after his summer arrival. It appears Rangers are now attempting to remedy their attacking woes with the addition of 22-year-old Gelhardt in the winter window with the Yorkshire Evening Post stating “as many as 10 clubs” have made an approach to United.
Gelhardt has barely featured under Daniel Farke this season – making four Championship cameos off the bench with his only start coming in EFL Cup clash with Middlesborough back in August. It is claimed that fellow English second tier clubs as well as suitors abroad are also chasing a deal.
A switch to Celtic appeared to be on in January of this year – but United have hit their limit of loan players at foreign clubs. After failing to turn one of their temporary deals into a permanent move the switch to Glasgow’s east end fell apart.
It is noted that the club were unwilling to allow the player to leave in the summer. However, there is “enthusiasm on the player’s side” to leave in January after limited minutes at Elland Road.
Josh Doig is another name who has been touted with a switch to Ibrox – before the former Hibs man opted to leave Hellas Verona for Sassuolo last January. The 22-year-old opened up on the interest, telling Rangers News: “I didn’t really want to hear anything unless the deal was done. Unless I needed to go and sign a paper I’m not really interested.
“Obviously my pals would speak about it and stuff but I don’t know how close it really got. I wouldn’t be able to sit and say (there were official transfer discussions), I’d be lying. So honestly, I don’t know.
“I do know there was talks and stuff, but I couldn’t sit and tell you, because I genuinely don’t know. I would just be lying.”
“Was (Rangers speculation) flattering? 100 per cent. They’re massive teams obviously. Growing up, Rangers and Celtic, it’s the two biggest teams you could play for in Scotland. But for me, I feel like I’ve just got out of Scotland. I feel like I’m just newly away from all that.
“So even if I went back there, I’d be back in my house, be back with mum and dad. I’ve just got out and I’m broadening my horizons. Obviously I’m not saying that going to Rangers or Celtic would be a bad thing, but it’s just like I’ve got away from it. I just want to experience different places and I feel like football lets you do that.”
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