Jonny Evans in Rangers January transfer SOS amid David Weir 'leadership' comparison
Jonny Evans could be the key in giving Rangers the leadership qualities sorely lacking in the squad.
That is according to former Ibrox striker Kris Boyd who also compared the impact the Manchester United defender could have on the dressing room with the likes of Ugo Ehiogu and David Weir. Backline injuries have left Philippe Clement with defensive dilemmas. John Souttar, Leon Balogun and James Tavernier are just a handful of possible absentees this month. Robin Propper, meanwhile has struggled to impress in Govan since his summer switch.
But the Sky Sports pundit believes a January move for the 36 year old, who was captain at Leicester while under Brendan Rodgers, would add much needed discipline and leadership in the dressing room between now and the end of the season. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Boyd suggested the signing that Nils Koppen should make.
He said: "I think when you look at James Tavernier, he is injured for a couple of weeks as well. It was already a patched up back four with the injuries they have had. I just look at Rangers, I don’t really see any leaders in there. I know there has been rumours of Nathan Patterson, but I can’t help but think of somebody like a Jonny Evans or something, maybe until the end of the season.”
"I remember we were like this in the past - and I know it is going back a few years. But you look at people like Ugo Ehiogu, sadly no longer with us, and Davie Weir arrived and not even just what they gave you on the pitch but off the pitch. It was the professionalism on a daily basis, how to live your life, how to train in that football environment.
"I just look at Jonny Evans and think - is that someone who could maybe [join], even for the next few months. He is obviously out of contract in the summer and I don't think he will stay there for much longer. But just that older experience, I think Phillipe Clement has spoken about youngsters coming in and developing them, even though it is a bit of a myth when you look at the average age of the team. A few experienced ones just to steady it on the pitch and round about the training centre. There is no doubt there is a few boys looking lost right now. They don't know if they are coming or going. Something has to change because it has not ben good enough."
Evans is currently at Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim, with a short-term deal until the end of the season already mooted to make the switch to Glasgow. The Northern Irishman has made six Premier League appearances so far this season, he has also completed suitable minutes in other competitions, making him ready for action.
