Reported Rangers target deemed ‘very crucial’ by his coach makes decision on his future

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A player recently linked with Steven Gerrard’s Glasgow Rangers has officially made a decision on his future.

George Maluleka, a South Africa international who currently plies his trade for Kaizer Chiefs, was linked with Rangers by the Daily Sun late last year, the outlet claiming that the Ibrox giants sent scouts to watch the player in action.

The 31-year-old midfielder has been with Kaizer Chiefs since 2014, helping them lift the title in 2015 and making 168 appearances and claiming 11 goals and 23 assists, according to Transfermarkt.

Maluleka is out of contract at the end of the season and a Soccer Laduma report from earlier in March claimed he had turned down Kaizer Chiefs’ latest offer.

Head coach Ernst Middendorp had been desperate to keep Maluleka, describing him as a “very crucial” part of his plans, but he will now be leaving the club at the end of the season.

However, it won’t be Rangers he’s linking up with – Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed on their official website that he has signed a pre-contract to join South African rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in the summer.

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As prospective Rangers players go, Maluleka would have been a shock arrival at Ibrox to say the least – he is untested in Scottish football, will be 32 next year, and hasn’t made much impact at international level, with just six South Africa caps, all in friendlies, for a total of 153 minutes.

Gerrard is currently in the midst of the biggest challenge of his fledgling managerial career at Ibrox and he’s going to need players in the summer who are not only up to the challenge but will also be a signal of intent, and Maluleka simply doesn’t seem like such a signing – so it’s maybe for the best.