Rangers signings: Cedric Itten has huge potential, says Steven Gerrard, while Cedric Roofe has incredible quality

New strikers excite Ibrox manager

Rangers training in the Bay Arena ahead of the Bayer Leverkusen match. Picture: AFP via Getty Images

Steven Gerrard believes Rangers are ready to come out shooting after solving their firepower issues.

It is only two weeks since Gerrard went public with fears that his team did not have enough strength in depth to halt Celtic’s charge for 10 titles in a row.

But the Ibrox board have acted swiftly to ease their manager’s concerns after sanctioning the purchases of Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten for a combined sum of around £7 million.

New Rangers striker Cedric Itten has an impressive goals record. Picture: AFP via Getty Images

Roofe arrives after a year at Anderlecht but previously excelled with Leeds, while Gerrard will hope Switzerland international Itten can replicate the form that saw him notch 19 goals in 34 games for St Gallen last term.

Gerrard said: “I’m extremely happy with the two players we got in yesterday. I made it well known we were quite vulnerable with the options we had prior to getting the two new lads through the door.

“But now we’ve got a lot of options in the forward areas, we’ve got a lot of firepower and I’m really excited about working with them. In terms of the club, they have given us good backing and that has always been the same since day one.

“We’re on the same page in terms of the board and myself and the main thing is to try to improve us as an XI and a squad. With the calibre of player we got in yesterday, it certainly helps us get closer towards that.

Steven Gerrard is delighted with the capture of Kemar Roofe from Anderlecht. Picture: AFP via Getty Images

“Roofe has incredible quality around the box and is very capable of scoring goals in numbers. Our fans will know more and will have seen more of him because of his spell at Leeds before he moved to Anderlecht.

“But Cedric is one who comes with huge potential. He’s a little younger but has real strong numbers when it comes to goals per game so far.

“The good thing is they can play together in terms of how we play. They fit into our system.

“They are both hungry. They both understand where the club is at and trying to achieve. It’s real positive news for Rangers and I’m delighted to get them done.”

However, Gerrard will not be able to call upon either of his new recruits as they return to Europa League action against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday night after a five-month hiatus.

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