GARY McAllister believes it is vital that Rangers strengthen further before the summer transfer window closes next week because of the demands that Europa League qualification will place on the Ibrox squad.
Steven Gerrard has brought in no fewer than 11 new players – seven in permanent deals and four others on loan – since taking over as manager at the Govan club at the beginning of June.
But the Liverpool and England great, whose side take on Russian opponents Ufa in the first leg of the Europa League play-off at Ibrox tomorrow evening, has admitted he wants to do more business before midnight on Friday week.
He is keen to add Kyle Lafferty, the Hearts striker who threw his shirt and shin pads to supporters of the Tynecastle club after their win over Dunfermline at East End Park on Saturday, and at least one more new face in the coming days.
McAllister, the Rangers assistant manager, has extensive experience of European competition from his time with Leeds United and Liverpool, who he helped to win the UEFA Cup back in 2001.
The former Scotland midfielder and captain feels it is imperative they bolster their squad in order to cope with the Ladbrokes Premiership, Betfred Cup and Europa League matches they may have to playing in the coming months.
If Rangers overcome Ufa in the two-legged play-off they will have another six games, including three away from home, to play in the first half of the 2018/19 campaign.
“The search is ongoing for anyone that can come in and make us better,” he said. “That is always the case with a big club. Recruitment is crucial.
“I think the core of the work has been done and we are looking fairly settled. But there will be a tweak here and there.
“We have lost a couple of players, so strengthening those areas where we have lost is to make sure we have got cover because the demands on certain individuals might be too much.
“We need to be able to rotate because if we can deal with the Russian side and get into the Europa League proper, there are going to be demands, not just on 11 players.
“That is something that the manager and the staff have emphasised. With the demands of getting into the Europa League, it is going to be 18 players. You can’t have the same 11 turning out performances in games with the travel and the quick turnovers. It is impossible.”
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