Murty reveals real reasons Rangers decided against sealing free winter transfer. Norwich striker Steven Naismith recently sealed a loan move to Hearts, finally fulfilling his dream of returning to Scotland in the process.
The former Rangers man was linked with a return to Ibrox after he admitted he would love to, even if it will mean he plays without wages.
However, the Light Blues weren’t too keen on re-signing Naismith despite his offer, and manager Graeme Murty has revealed why.
With the 31-year-old passed his prime, he wasn’t going to see action regularly at Ibrox given the quality currently available and being targeted.
Murty reckoned there wasn’t a need to bring another bit-part player in, claiming: “I talked to Steven but we were concentrating on the guys we have brought in. We identified Jamie Murphy early because it was an area we needed strengthened.
“Then we looked at the centre-forward options, with Kenny Miller being injured, and wanted to have more variety.
“So the guys we have brought in were ‘must haves’. You don’t want to bring too many in who are not going to be playing regularly. You want to make sure signings are going to go straight into the starting line-up.”
No thanks to an injury, Naismith only played 3 games for Norwich this term prior to his loan move to Hearts.
He no doubt has the experience that could benefit Rangers, but he was likely going to be surplus to requirements given the options available.
More so, a lot of fans are yet to forgive the Scotland international following the manner in which he left the club after they went in administration, and he remains an unpopular figure within some sections of the Ibrox faithful.
