Why Rangers should dodge this 34-year-old Welsh bullet to avoid another Bruno Alves scenario

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has turned his attention towards West Ham United defender James Collins, according to a report from Scottish outlet Daily Record.  

The Gers have had a busy start to the summer, having already made three signings since the Liverpool legend’s appointment, with Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor and Jamie Murphy all moving to the Ibrox.  

The former England midfielder, however, remains keen on reinforcing his defence in the summer. Rangers, who finished 3rd in the Scottish Premiership last campaign, struggled at the back, letting in many goals in the competition, more than any other team in the top-six and double than what champions Celtic conceded.

Last summer’s arrivals Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso struggled to make an impact at the Ibrox and David Bates is set to leave as well, to join up with Bundesliga outfit Hamburg, leaving the young Ross McCrorie as the only defender who came out with some credit from the campaign.  

The Gers were heavily linked with a move for Fenerbahce star Martin Skrtel, but that move fell through as the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement over the wages. Gerrard would now be hoping to make Collins his 4th summer signing for the Scottish giants.  

The 34-year-old will be available on a free transfer this summer after West Ham confirmed that the defender will be released at the expiry of his contract next month.

The Welshman started off his career with Cardiff City in his homeland, before moving to the Hammers in the summer of 2005. Having spent four seasons with the East Londoners, the defender joined Aston Villa in 2009.

Collins went on to spend three seasons at the Villa Park before returning to West Ham for a second spell in 2012 and has been at the club ever since. Across his two spells, he went on to make 217 appearances for the Hammers, establishing himself as a firm fan favourite at the club.

The former Welsh international endured an injury-riddled 2017/18 campaign, making just 16 appearances across all competitions, scoring a solitary goal.

Collins, in his career, has notched up over 270 appearances in the English Premier League and also turned out 50 times for the Wales national team. So, it makes total sense that Rangers want to sign someone of his experience and knowledge. The fact that he will be available for free makes the deal more attractive.  

However, Gerrard and co. must also consider that Collins hasn’t been playing at his best in the past couple of seasons and has had a series of injury problems recently. Bringing him in the summer might see the Gers go through the whole Bruno Alves situation once again.

As much as they need defensive reinforcements in the summer, signing a player who has struggled with fitness issues and appears to be well past his prime isn’t what the Gers need at the time. They would be better off looking elsewhere.