Daniel Johnson would be perfect fit for Ibrox at right time, says former Gers star Andy Little

BlueMeanie said:
ANDY LITTLE insists Daniel Johnson is the perfect fit for Rangers at just the right time as Steven Gerrard closes in on the midfielder.

Former Ibrox star Little teamed up with Johnson at Preston and has no doubt that the Jamaican will be a sensation if the deal can be done.




Little reckons the 27-year-old ticks all the boxes – especially with Joe Aribo out for a lengthy period and Ryan Jack also side-lined.

He said: “He’s a Steven Gerrard type of player. He’s very gifted, a good athlete and at a great point in his career.

“You look at his most notable recent signings – Hagi, Kent, Aribo – Johnson comes into the category and I have no doubt he came make an impact.


Little believes Daniel Johnson is keen to move to Rangers.
“I’ve heard that he’s keen to go to Rangers through my contacts down there so I think that’s very important.

“Getting the chance to go to Ibrox doesn’t happen every day of the week and I feel he will handle playing for Rangers.

“In my opinion there are a lot of similarities between him and Joe Aribo – they’ve got that technical ability and the skill to find a pass.

“So, it will be interesting to see where Steven Gerrard plays him because he’s been using two deep-lying midfielders and playing Hagi in the No10 role since Aribo has been out.

“I reckon he’s just as comfortable as a number 10 as he is in the central midfield. He’s left-sided and very athletic.”

Johnson was Preston’s player of the year last season and Little reckons his firepower is also an attraction.


Rangers boss Steven Gerrard wants to add to his midfield options
He said: “Rangers need goals from midfield and he can bring that, especially as there have been so many injuries recently and the setback that Aribo has suffered.

“He scored 12 goals last season which is great although I think half of them were penalties.

“But that’s no bad thing for Rangers as they had a few problems from the spot last season.

“Last season was the first season he played number 10. When I knew him, he was more of a central midfielder.


“So that’s obviously one of the reasons he scored so many and also got so many assists.”

Little teamed up with Johnson in the 2014/15 season when Preston won promotion back to the Championship.

Little revealed it was by starring against Preston that earned Johnson a move to Deepdale.

He said: “He came up against Preston when we played Chesterfield in a league match and he was brilliant. He was on loan there from Aston Villa.

“He was the outstanding performer. I think it was only a couple of weeks later that Simon Grayson signed him for a fee of around 50 grand – much the same as what Rangers paid Dundee for Glen Kamara – and both have been absolute bargains.

“So, if they get £2.3million or whatever it is then it’s been very good business for Preston as he’s given them great service.

“Peter Ridsdale runs a tight ship down there so I’m sure he’ll have his business head on.

“Daniel played a key role in winning through the play-offs in his first season – ironically we beat Chesterfield in the semis.


“He’s been a mainstay for them since and that’s not surprising because he was a really well-educated footballer, really tidy on the ball, technically excellent and very fast over 10 metres.

“He’s a really good lad, a top pro and he’ll love the big stage. I’m delighted as an ex-team mate to see him get the chance because rarely do players surpass playing for Rangers.

“It’s often the best part of a player’s career. Not too many leave to go on to bigger and better things.”
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Little always speaks well on Rangers tv to be fair
 
Bluebearjim said:
Don't agree. Until he got injured Joe Aribo had been our best player by a country mile this season. Definitely looked up for it and was playing with style. A great talent imo.
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He has the smarts, the talent, the skill. I'm not seeing the steel though. Maybe it's just me...
 
You "in the know" people are banned from this forum.

You, your children and your children's children!

...till Friday.
 
Quite a few PNE fans at work.

Reports back that he’s a really nice lad off the pitch, even up town when he’s out :D

And as a player, he’s either the best of one of their best and they’d be disappointed to see him go.

No one I’ve spoken to has anything bad to say about the fella.
 
Orange Peel said:
Stop embarrassing yourself.

Joe Aribo when injured is never back in a few days, it's always weeks.
For someone so young it's a concern.
Roofe is now out until after the next International break with his historical problems of calf injuries.
So yes they are bordering on crocks to me,and I don't feel embarrassed to state this.
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ChorleyCub said:
If he's "like" Aribo, I'd pass TBH. Great talent and skill, Joe, but goes hiding when the going gets tough. No steel. Pass.
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Downplay the current player and then cast doubt over the new player. Classic tactic of the opposition and media in Scottish football.
 
Liviger1984 said:
Not in the squad. May still have a slight knock or maybe he's on the way:)
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Seen that just as i was about to sit down for the game. Haha! Well, time will tell if he is. I have never seen him play so was interested to have a current look at him. Tonight is a huge game as well and going into sunday also. Onwards and upwards Sir.
 
The more I learn about this guy the more he sounds like a peak Steven Naismith - he sounds exactly the kind of tenacious energetic influence we lack in the middle of the park.
 
temperance said:
I’ve seen him a few times, and he’s very good, but too similar to what we already have in my opinion.
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Depends who he's similar too I suppose.

If he's similar to Ryan Kent or Joe Aribo then great. Similar to Ryan Jack or Glen Kamara, not so great.
 
wsb&warmy said:
Depends who he's similar too I suppose.

If he's similar to Ryan Kent or Joe Aribo then great. Similar to Ryan Jack or Glen Kamara, not so great.
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One aspect of a player being similar is it is a suggestion they are likely to fit-in .

if we are looking for another dimension then that’s another matter .
 
ChildOfGod said:
One aspect of a player being similar is it is a suggestion they are likely to fit-in .

if we are looking for another dimension then that’s another matter .
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I personally think we still need 2 players - one similar to Ryan Kent and one similar Joe Aribo.
 
brain said:
Quite pleased, I wasn't convinced on this one at all.
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Me too. Looked a bit lightweight and not what we need. Had one really good season (stats wise at least) but your taking a punt that wasn't just a one- off.
 
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