Steven Gerrard raved about 33-year-old in 2008, has now admitted he wants Rangers move

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Ryan Babel has claimed that he would be open to a move to Rangers this summer despite having two years left on his Galatasaray contract – and Steven Gerrard is clearly a fan given comments made during the duo’s time at Liverpool.

Babel, 33, is likely to have another interesting summer ahead of him despite only signing a three-year deal Gala contract last summer. After just half a season, Babel was loaned to Ajax despite scoring five goals in 20 Gala outings.

The former Hoffenheim, Deportivo and Besiktas winger has since played nine times following his return to boyhood club Ajax on loan. His future is up in the air, with Babel likely to return to Gala in the coming weeks.

Speaking to SportBible’s Instagram page during a Q&A session, Babel stated he would consider a move to Rangers – as covered in a recent piece by TBR Football: “I think I would play for Rangers just for the fact that Steven Gerrard is the coach.”

That should entice Gerrard. Babel joined Liverpool in 2007 from Ajax, and clocked up 142 appearances for Liverpool – in what was a very hit and miss spell under the likes of Rafa Benitez, and alongside Gerrard.

Speaking after Babel had won Liverpool’s Young Player of the Year award in 2008 following his 10 goals and eight assists that season, Gerrard told Goal that Babel “had it all” and could be anything he wanted to be.

“He’s got a bright future. He’s strong, quick, can set goals up and score. He’s got it all. With so many players, they’ve had this ability and not taken it to the next level. It’s up to Ryan how much he wants to be one of the top players, because he could be.”

Gerrard is clearly a fan of Babel, then. Now, given Rangers are likely to be in the market for a winger in the coming months – surely a move to sign Babel has got to be considered with the player already stating he would be interested in a move.