3 Reasons Rangers should snap up Joleon Lescott

Despite a difficult season at Aston Villa in 2015-16, it’s no surprise that Rangers fans are excited by talk of the former England international heading to Ibrox – and odds have fallen from 5/2 to 1/2 (as of August 17) for the 34-year-old to join up with Mark Warburton and co.

Here’s why Gers fans are right to be feeling positive about their potential new star.

Undeniable class and quality

As the old adage goes – form is temporary, class is permanent. While last season saw the experienced defender struggle to command a lacklustre Aston Villa side, there’s no question he still retains a calm head and offers a composed presence on the ball.

Having played a pivotal role in several of the Villans’ few Premier League goals last season – including nodding home in the 1-1 draw with Southampton – he also poses a threat in the air.

Having once netted eight Premier League goals in a season for Everton, a manager with Mark Warburton’s tactical nous could well turn the veteran into a regular goal threat once again.

Heaps of experience

Even if Lescott’s best days on the pitch turned out to be behind him, the experience he can offer to a squad containing a raft of young talents like Barrie McKay and 17-year-old prodigy Liam Burt will be invaluable.

In fact, with the Gers currently top of the Ladbrokes Premiership (and 3/1 second-favourites to lift the title) with the league crown seemingly the aim, there can be few men better-equipped to handle that pressure than a two-time Premier League winner who starred for Manchester City in their unforgettable final-day triumph in 2012.

He’s an ideal fit, with a point to prove

Blending talented youngsters with experienced winners is hardly a new idea in football, but it’s something Warburton has done to impressive effect in the Ibrox hotseat.

And the addition of a measured, ball-playing centre-half alongside the more robust Clint Hill could be exactly the buy Rangers need to push on and lift the Ladbrokes Premiership title at the first time of asking.

As for Lescott – after a difficult year in the West Midlands, the lure of Ibrox could well be the first step in rejuvenating a player of immense potential and vast experience.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing