TBR View: Should Rangers consider Everton outcast, after Jermain Defoe injury?

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Steven Gerrard confirmed that Rangers will be considering a move to sign a striker in the January transfer window before Friday’s 11pm deadline after Jermain Defoe’s injury – and could the Liverpool legend raid Everton for one of their outcasts?

Defoe scored his third goal in four games on Wednesday evening as Rangers eased to a comfortable 2-0 win over Ross County at Ibrox. He also laid on an assist for Scott Arfield, who doubled the lead after half-time.

However, 37-year-old Defoe pulled up in the second half after injuring his calf – just days after signing a new deal with the Gers to keep him in the Light Blue shirt until the summer of 2021. It remains to be seen how long he will be sidelined for.

Rangers are left with just Alfredo Morelos up front, who is likely to leave the club in the summer and is renowned for picking up multiple suspensions. His substitute appearance on Wednesday night saw him return from a red-card ban.

Gerrard confirmed after the match, as per BBC Sport, that he could enter the window to replace Defoe – if the injury is serious: “If it’s more than two or three weeks it might affect what we do in the next couple of days.”

So, who should he consider? An available target, which would see the Liverpool legend raid his old rivals Everton, is Toffees outcast Oumar Niasse. The Liverpool Echo claims interest is building in Niasse, who is surplus to requirements.

Signed by Roberto Martinez for a whopping £16million (Sun) in the 2016 winter window, Niasse has managed just 42 appearances for Everton in four years. He has gone on loan to Hull City and Cardiff City in that time.

Just three Premier League appearances – totalling 19 minutes – have come this season. Dom Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Moise Kean are ahead in the pecking order, making Niasse available to any club willing to take him.

It remains to be seen if Everton want a contribution for his wages, but Niasse is available and would be a decent signing for Rangers to act as cover for Colombia cap Morelos. Rangers are running out of time, but Niasse would be a quick move.