If Graeme Murty remains, old-friend Steve Sidwell would be great Rangers addition

Add as preferred source on Google

Back in the 2005-06 season one team romped their way to the Championship table. That team was Reading. Managed by Steve Coppell they won the competition with an incredible and record breaking 106 points and +67 goal difference. One player in that team that Rangers fans will be more than aware of is the Berkshire side’s legendary right-back Graeme Murty.

He featured 44 times for the Royals that season and became a local hero as the captain who led Reading to such a memorable season.

Another player crucial to that Reading side was midfielder Steve Sidwell. This summer the 35-year-old is a free agent after his contract at Brighton ends and Murty should consider a reunion at Ibrox.

Murty, who has recently transformed the fortunes of Rangers, has done so with some incredibly talented young players in his team. But the side need, especially in midfield, some more experienced heads. They do not come much more experienced than Sidwell.

As well as his excellent spell at Reading the midfielder can count Chelsea, Aston Villa, Fulham and Stoke as former Premier League clubs he played for.

The veteran proved he is not past it as an integral member of the Brighton side that won promotion last season. This campaign Sidwell has spent much of his time out injured and with his contract expiring in the summer could be on his way out.

Rangers could be a perfect opportunity for the midfielder. There is certainly space for Sidwell in the Rangers side and he would be working with someone he knows extremely well in Murty.

A lot of course depends on if Murty remains, considering his caretaker deal only runs until the end of the season.

But given Rangers’ current form he is in a strong position. If he can continue to thrive with his young midfield at Ibrox until the end of the season he deserves the job. Then Murty will need some experience in Glasgow. Who better than his old friend from Reading?