Why Rangers must snap up Rolando Aarons on loan from Newcastle United
According to The Mirror, Rangers’ manager Steven Gerrard is interested in a temporary move for Newcastle United winger Rolando Aarons. The Scottish window officially slams shut on Friday and Gerrard must move fast to land his man.
Rolando Aarons spent the previous term on loan at Serie A club Hellas Verona after falling down the pecking order. With Kenedy, Matt Ritchie, Jacob Murphy and Christian Atsu ahead of him in the team sheet as options out wide, the 22-year-old should look for a temporary exit for the second successive season.
The Mirror claims that Rangers will face competition from Championship side Hull City and Greek club AEK Athens for Aarons’ signature.
Gerrard is still building his project at the Ibrox. The Liverpool legend must aim to end arch-rivals Celtic’s dominance in Scotland and progress in Europe.
To that end, the manager must find cover for winger Jamie Murphy, who injured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and is likely to miss a big part of this season. The left-footed Rolando Aarons operates as a left attacking midfielder but can also play as a right-winger. In fact, when one takes a look at his performances, they do seem quite similar to those of Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling.
His pace, direct style of play, technical ability and defensive contribution would be important for a Gers side looking to challenge for titles on all fronts. Given his peripheral role at St. James Park, a move north of the border would provide him with better chances of breaking into the first-team.
Aarons has only featured 18 times in the Premier League since coming through the Magpies’ academy set up in 2014/15.
Although Aarons is talented, he needs to find the consistency to take his game to the next level. He’ll barely find that, however, if he spends most of the match days warming Rafa Benitez’s bench. He needs playing time elsewhere instead of spending more time with the U23s.
At the Ibrox, he could also link up with former Newcastle teammate James Tavernier. Thus, joining Rangers temporarily could Aarons fulfil his potential under the watchful eyes one of the best midfielders of his time, Gerrard.
