Steven Gerrard has begun preparing for life without Jordan Jones and with Brandon Barker’s injury issues not to mention Jamie Murphy’s recent exit by bringing in Arsenal winger Nathan Tormey, 20, to trial for a place at Ibrox.

The left winger, with four assists in 15 in the Premier League 2, rejected a new deal at the Emirates because he reportedly wants first team football.

And at the age he’s at, there’s no question he’s not a ‘kid’ any more and is just about ready to make it in the senior game.

Not only is the youngster coming in hopefully to impress and secure a contract under Gerrard, but his arrival, if there was any doubt, confirms the absolute end at Ibrox for similar-aged left winger Glenn Middleton who desperately needs to find a new club.

Rangers currently have just one left winger fit, that being Ryan Kent, but if the star player at present was to pick up an injury, Rangers have no flankers for that side available at all.

Jones is surplus and unwanted, Barker is injured, and Middleton won’t make it in Govan.

So Stevie is very much looking to try to bolster the wings, and young Tormey might just be the depth the manager needs there.

This wouldn’t, of course, be a loan – Tormey is a free agent and has never been with another club aside the Gunners – this would be a permanent addition, and clearly the lad is rated enough that Arsenal offered him a new deal in the first place.

We’ll see if he impresses at Auchenhowie enough to secure that paper.