Rangers recruit who has put on four kilos since joining club hailed 'an absolute dream'

His Rangers career only amounts to four substitute appearances so far but Scott Wright has already done enough to earn an emphatic seal of approval from his new manager.

Scott Wright is fouled by Royal Antwerp's Opuku Ampomah to earn Rangers a penalty during the Europa League round of 32, secong leg match at Ibrox last week. (Photo by RUSSELL CHEYNE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As well as making an eye-catching impact during those cameo outings, Wright has also quite literally grown in stature off the pitch as he adapts to the demands of his new environment following his deadline day move from Aberdeen last month.

“We’ve done everything we can to make him settle quicker and there’s a lot of things we’ve put to him in terms of information from a tactical point of view, to try and get him up to speed in terms of how we play and what we expect from him,” said Gerrard.

“We have also hit him really hard from a physical point of view in terms of fitness, body weight, diet and nutrition.

Scott Wright celebrates with Alfredo Morelos during Rangers' 4-1 Premiership victory over Dundee United at Ibrox on February 21. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

“He has put four kilos on in a month while at the same time his body fat hasn’t moved. He’s a project, Scott, and he’s one we’re getting ready for next season. But having said that, we can still see his talent and we’re getting a contribution from him now.”

Wright is competing with several gifted players for game time as part of the forward line in Gerrard’s preferred 4-3-3 formation. He remains behind the likes of Ryan Kent, Ianis Hagi and Joe Aribo in the queue but already seems more accomplished than other attacking options such as Jordan Jones and Brandon Barker who were loaned out on deadline day.

Gerrard confirmed that Wright can expect more involvement in the remaining months of this season as Rangers close in on the Premiership crown and also target success in the Scottish Cup and Europa League.

“We’ve had some injuries at the top end of the pitch and a few people have gone out on loan to get games,” said Gerrard.

“So Scott is contributing really well at the moment and he’s on the verge of getting starts, for sure. I think he’s earned that. He’s been a breath of fresh air, he’s a great kid. He wants to learn, improve and grow. He’s been an absolute dream to have here.

“We can’t take all the credit for Scott Wright and the impact he’s had in the short space of time. We knew we’d got a good player from Aberdeen and his previous coaches have done a fantastic job on him.

“We’ll only bring people in here who we feel can contribute and add to what we have already got. But they also have to be able to play in our way with our philosophy.

“You could see from looking at him from afar that he had the talent and ability. The way we play suits his game. He’s been a real top signing and to get him in early was a big bonus. There are still areas where we feel he can grow and evolve and get better and that’s what we’re trying to do with him.”

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