Joe Gelhardt could become new Rangers goal machine amid Leeds United striker transfer speculation at Ibrox

Derek Ferguson would “absolutely love it” if Joe Gelhardt was the man to produce regular goals for Rangers,

and he pushed the scouting team to continue looking for “wee diamonds” on the market.

On January 8,

Simon Jones of the Daily Mail reported that Rangers were interested in out-of-favour Leeds forward Gelhardt, 21,

during the January transfer window.

Such a move appears to be hindered by the fact that it would be considered an international loan transaction,

which Leeds cannot sanction (Yorkshire Evening Post, 19 January).

Ferguson, a former Rangers player,

admits he is unfamiliar with Gelhardt as a player but would welcome him to Ibrox if he found form in front of goal.

Speaking with Ibrox News,

he said: “I don’t know much about him; most weekends,

I’m out covering Scottish football,

so my focus is on that.

“That’s why we have all these guys;

there are scouts all across the country watching other leagues and players,

and if his name comes up, we need a striker.

“You talk about leading the line,

but I believe we only need someone who can put the ball in the back of the net.

“Under Clement, he’s demonstrated that he’s highly organised from back to middle,

but it’s the business end,

the business end is the final third,

and we need someone who can put the ball in the back of the net,

and if that youngster can do that,

I’d love to bring him to the club.

“Sometimes individuals like that simply need that opportunity to play with better players,

if you will.

I don’t know anything about him,

which is why these guys get paid to travel across the country looking for these small jewels.”

In other Rangers news, one player is expected to leave Ibrox this month.