Why Rangers Must Do All It Takes To Sign Norwich Striker Steven Naismith
Rangers are in desperate need for reinforcements before next season kicks off. The club needs a transformation from top to bottom to be able to compete with Celtic and reinforce their status as the most successful club in Scotland. Defenders are of course needed. However, an ambitious club will look to add goals to their squad and that’s where the former Kilmarnock man comes in.
Steven Naismith is a name being seriously linked with the club and he would be a major step forward for the Gers. The £8.5million striker could be released on a free, according to reports from the Sun. However, his overall ability is the first and most obvious thing to point to; Naismith played over 100 games in the Premier League in England for Everton and Norwich City and belongs to that level of football for sure.
He also has a big history at this club. After singing from Kilmarnock in 2007, Naismith went on to make 136 appearances for Rangers, scoring 33 goals in the process. He was part of a successful forward partnership with Kenny Miller back then and that partnership could be rekindled now that the former Hibs and Celtic man is also back at the club and performing well.
Naismith was renowned for his charity work in Glasgow. Because of injuries keeping him out of the side during his first spell with the club, Naismith decided that he would help out and sponsor hundreds of meals for the city’s homeless people. A return full time to Glasgow would sit very well with him and his family, meaning no settling-in period, which for a new signing is a huge bonus.
On the field is the major issue though and it’s clear that to put it in the simplest way possible, Steven Naismith is way better than anything else Rangers have in their forward line right now. 5 goals and 3 assists for Norwich from just 9 starts this season shows that he retains his ability. Aside from Wes Hoolahan, Naismith is fouled more than any other player at Norwich in a typical game which is a testament to his ball retention skills.
Being fouled as often as he is in the English Championship is a clear pointer as to what will happen if he comes back to the Scottish Premiership; defenders will not be able to cope with him and he will either be winning free-kicks and penalties or creating goal scoring chances. He is a must-have signing this summer for Rangers.