Barry Ferguson Urges Rangers to Look Beyond Joe Gelhardt in January Transfer Window

Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has voiced his concerns over the potential signing of Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt, urging the club to prioritize players with more game time this season. Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show on 27 November, Ferguson expressed doubts about Gelhardt’s readiness to make an immediate impact at Ibrox.

Gelhardt, 21, has been linked with a loan move to Rangers in January as the club looks to bolster its attacking options. While the young striker has shown flashes of his potential at Leeds, his limited playing time this season has raised questions about whether he is the right fit for a team aiming to compete on multiple fronts.

Ferguson didn’t hold back in his assessment, emphasizing the need for “oven-ready” players who can hit the ground running. “Rangers can’t afford to take chances on players who haven’t been playing regularly,” Ferguson said. “Gelhardt is a talented lad, no doubt about it, but he’s hardly featured this season. If Rangers are serious about challenging for silverware, they need players who are match-fit and ready to make an impact straight away.”

The ex-Gers skipper highlighted the importance of January signings being able to seamlessly integrate into the squad. With Rangers currently trailing Celtic in the Scottish Premiership and facing crucial fixtures in domestic and European competitions, Ferguson believes that time is of the essence.

“Ibrox is a demanding place, and the fans expect results immediately,” he added. “Bringing in someone who might need weeks to get up to speed could be a gamble Rangers can’t afford. The January window is tough, but there are players out there who’ve been playing regularly and can come in and make a difference.”

Gelhardt has struggled for minutes at Leeds this season, finding himself down the pecking order under Daniel Farke. While a loan move could provide him with valuable experience, Ferguson insists Rangers must focus on players who can contribute immediately to Michael Beale’s side.

The January transfer window will be pivotal for Rangers as they look to strengthen their squad and reignite their title challenge. Whether Gelhardt remains a target or the club heeds Ferguson’s advice and looks elsewhere, the pressure is on to get their recruitment right.