Aston Villa boss Gerrard in transfer raid for on former club Rangers for defender Borna Barisic to shore up defence
ASTON VILLA boss Steven Gerrard is planning a raid on his old club Rangers for defender Borna Barisic, according to reports.
Gerrard wants to shore up his leaky Villa defence and the 29-year-old Croatian full-back is reportedly a target.
Gerrard picked up a 2-0 win over Brighton on his debut as manager, and started Matty Targett at left-back.
However, he is not set on the Englishman and is keen to add the Light Blues defender to his squad.
The Croatian still has three years on his contract at Ibrox, however, with his current deal set to expire in 2024.
His form for the title-winning Gers last season saw him linked to Serie A sides Roma and AC Milan.
So, Barisic is not short of suitors with the Glasgow side reportedly holding out for an £8 million bid from the Villains.
Ex-Ibrox boss Gerrard is said to be keen to get a deal done for the 28-year old in January as he looks to makes his own stamp on the squad.
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Meanwhile, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has opened up in his first interview since becoming Rangers manager.
The Dutchman was announced on Thursday night as the 17th permanent boss at Ibrox.
Van Bronckhorst says the recruitment process was different to what he has experienced elsewhere and spoke highly of Gers stalwart Jimmy Bell.
Here’s what the 46-year-old had to say to Rangers TV before today’s 3-1 Premier Sports Cup defeat to Hibs.
When asked how he felt to be back, GvB said: “Very honoured, I have history with the club, I played here for many years, when I was younger, so for me to be coming back to this club, and be able to be the manager of this team, is for me, a very proud moment.
“I think it’s the feeling I have, I have always been connected with the club.
“After I left the club in 2001 to go to Arsenal and onwards in my career, I always watched the results. I have very good relations from my time with Rangers.
“I still speak with a lot of ex-team-mates, so Rangers has always been a special club, it was my first club abroad and, for me, to be able to come back when the job was offered to me was very exciting, it meant I was going to a place where I really knew.
“It’s been quite a hectic week, I think the first contacts were made last Thursday, it’s a bit different in Scotland than with other teams I had, you have to come into a job interview
“So I met Ross for the first time, it was in London on Saturday, we also talked with the board, and some of the directors.
“For me it was new, I had to talk about my way of working, my philosophy, how I see things, the club could also give me a presentation of how they were working.
“It felt really good from the beginning, but of course I had to wait for the final decision and after we had the second interview Tuesday, I knew I was becoming the new Rangers manager.
“Steven did a great job in helping them become as strong as they are now.
“It’s just the case of continuing this positivity, to help the club, help the team become even better.
“I think we are always a club who wants to win prizes, and win trophies, I had that as a player, I also have that mentality as a coach.”
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