Steven Gerrard gets cryptic on Rangers transfer raid with Tavernier and Goldson clues hiding in plain sight

Steven Gerrard has revealed that he is looking to bring in experience to help the Saudi players at Al-Ettifaq with Rangers duo James Tavernier and Connor Goldson being tipped with a move to the Middle East.

Record Sport exclusively that the Rangers skipper and experienced defender Goldson are on the Al-Ettifaq shopping list this summer. The club have failed to challenge at the summit of the Saudi Pro League this term - with the club languishing in sixth in the table despite a host of high-profile arrivals last summer including Jack Hendry, Moussa Dembele, Gini Wijnaldum, Demarai Gray and Jordan Henderson - before he made a hasty return to Europe to join Ajax.

Ibrox boss Philippe Clement has previously stated that he expects the long-serving defensive pair to be at the Scottish Premiership giants next term - but Gerrard has set out his stall for the upcoming window with just two games of the Pro League season remaining. The Liverpool legend says he is looking for experienced heads to pass on "knowledge" to homegrown talent - which would appear to fit the profile of Goldson and Tavernier.

Speaking to Saudi outlet Asharq, Gerrard said: "We will evaluate the situation and identify the strengths and weaknesses. We must be prepared to meet what the team needs to appear better. We realise that our team has developed, but there is a lot of work.

“We are building a good team, and we seek to enter the summer transfer market in a way that makes us the best in the Saudi League, as we did in the last transfer market, where our signings were reasonable and very strategic.

“Knowledge must be transferred to the Saudi League so we need experience. That is what I also want to do while I am here, but there are things that Saudi players must do to improve. There is a lot of work that must be done.”