Steven Gerrard insists his ex Rangers star is what he NEEDS at Ettifaq as he rips into flops

Steven Gerrard is on the trail of two of his old Rangers defensive stars - but it was a striker he signed at Ibrox who came back to haunt him as his recent miserable run at Al-Ettifaq continued.

Record Sport exclusively revealed how Light Blues captain James Tavernier and Connor Goldson are on Gerrard’s radar as he looks to shore up his backline. However, Gerrard said it was a player in the mould of frontman Fashion Sakala that they desperately need after the Zambian netted a double to pile the misery on his hold boss.

Sakala joined Rangers under Gerrard on a free transfer from Oostende but was allowed to leave at the start of this season by Michael Beale as he joined Saudi Pro League outfit Al Fayha and he continues to impress in the Middle East as he scored a brace in his side’s win over Gerrard’s outfit to take his tally to 16 goals and five assists in 28 league games.

Those numbers are what Gerrard, who watched ex Celtic striker Moussa Dembele score either side of Sakala’s double, feels his side needs as their winless run was extended to six games. Gerrard said after the defeat: “Sakala was dangerous and that is what we lack in our team. We were bad individually and collectively. We conceded two easy goals. I did not like the mentality or the character shown by the players.”

Gerrard’s side sit seventh in the Saudi Pro League with Sakala’s Al Fayha now sitting level on points. Earlier this season, Sakala spoke of his respect for Gerrard but revealed his heartbreak over his Ibrox exit - with Beale giving him the cold shoulder without an explanation.

He said in an interview with The Herald: “The fans played a bigger role for me there than some of the coaches I worked with at Rangers to be honest. For me, the fans were