Ibrox goalscorer Devante Cole a former Rangers transfer target

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Rangers got back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, with Steven Gerrard’s side seeing off Motherwell at Ibrox.

They may have secured the three points. But the Gers were certainly given a scare with the visitors taking a first-half lead before Jermain Defoe and Filip Helander found the back of the net.

And the man responsible for giving the Light Blues a fright is a player who may have been fairly well-known to some of those working behind the scenes at Rangers.

It was a smart finish from Devante Cole. With his back to goal, he brought the ball down after Filip Helander’s block and unleashed a good finish on the turn.

The attempt went close to Allan McGregor, and the Rangers stopper got a hand on the ball. But he could not keep the effort out.

Cole will be hoping that the goal can really kick-start his loan spell with Well. It was only his second league goal for the club in 10 appearances.

But it appears that he could have been playing for Rangers at this stage of his career had events played out differently.

The Sun reported in January 2018 that the Gers wanted Cole on a pre-contract deal. He had scored 10 league goals during the first-half of that campaign, and Graeme Murty was reportedly keen to bring him to Ibrox.

Ultimately, the 24-year-old joined Wigan Athletic. And it is surely fair to say that Rangers have not rued not signing the striker.

Nevertheless, some who remain at the club from around that time may have been worried that it was going to be one of those afternoons before the turnaround, with a former target scoring against the Gers on a day when Rangers missed a penalty and largely put in a lacklustre performance.