Barry Ferguson: Rangers Need To Sign Jordan Henderson

Barry Ferguson believes Rangers should make Jordan Henderson their number one priority when the winter transfer window opens on January 1.

Ferguson, who represented the Ibrox side over 430 times in two spells, is as disappointed as anyone involved with the club at how this season has started.

After 10 games, the Gers are nine points behind joint-leaders Celtic and Aberdeen and manager Philippe Clement is under pressure to keep his job. 

Rangers, who set up an Old Firm League Cup final by beating Motherwell last weekend, face Hearts on Sunday in a game they are favourites to win on football betting sites.

Defeat could see the club make a change of manager during the third international break of the season. 

Whichever manager is in charge when the transfer window opens, they need to make the most of it and Ferguson knows who he wants to see in the iconic blue jersey.

"I think Jordan Henderson would be perfect," Ferguson told Gambling.com in an exclusive interview.

"Obviously it's not worked out at Ajax since he left Saudi Arabia.

"I think somebody like Henderson, with the experience he's got, would more than bring on the likes of Connor Barron, Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande.

"They're three good young players in my opinion. I just think they need a bit of a helping hand. 

"Not just in training, but I'm talking about when they're on the pitch. 

"I just think somebody with his (Henderson) experience would certainly bring those players on."

Despite the nine-point gap, Rangers are second favourites to win their 56th title.

They are 6/4 underdogs on betting apps to beat Celtic in next month's League Cup final at Hampden Park. 

The next transfer window is so important for the club, who have watched their rivals Celtic win 12 of the last 13 titles. 

Get it right and their fans will hope they can narrow the gap on their Glasgow neighbours. Get it wrong and the club's struggles are likely to continue.

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Ferguson, who remains a fans favourite at Ibrox, is well placed to talk about the club's midfield problems, which were highlighted in their 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen.

If they fail to land Henderson, then another experienced midfielder is required to stop teams from bullying them. 

"I think the spine of the team is always so important," Ferguson said. 

"We’ve got Jack Butland in goal who has been excellent since he's signed. I'd probably say we need an experienced midfielder. 

"We've got a few midfielders at the club just now who are young in terms of games that they've played throughout their career.

"I just think having somebody experienced in there who's been about, who's played a lot of games, could give those sort of players a helping hand and bring their game on. 

"So probably an experienced central midfielder and you're always looking to strengthen the forward areas.

"I think that's somewhere that Rangers, at this moment in time, are a bit lightweight."

Ferguson helped Rangers win five league titles and five Scottish Cups. He also helped them reach the final of the Europa League in 2008. 

The combative midfielder will once again pull on the Rangers shirt in the Scottish Masters at Aberdeen's P&J Live arena on November 14. 

Former players from Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United and Rangers will compete and tickets are available to buy here.