Rangers boss Steven Gerrard says the hunt is on to find the men who can be title party poopers

Steven Gerrard believes Celtic’s quest to win a second nine-in-a-row will actually work in Rangers’ favour in the transfer market this summer.

The Hoops stand on the verge of their eighth-successive Scottish title, a success that would put them within one of matching their historic run from 1965-66 to 1973-74.

Yet, while having no problem with acknowledging the trophy monopoly, the Ibrox boss is bullish about his prospects for bringing the juggernaut to a halt.

“We, as a team and a group, have got to the point where we are now an attractive proposition for certain people, exciting players who can come here and help us.

“If you are a player looking in now, you are probably thinking, ‘There is something brewing there . Can I be that player to go and make the difference?’

“People talk about the nine-in-a-row era and Celtic’s dominance lately.

“Can you imagine being part of a Rangers set-up that is the next successful group?

“Because if you get one, I think it will be just as important as for the people who had to do it for nine.

“The Celtic team that stopped Rangers’ getting 10-in-a-row is still regarded as being up there with their great teams. That is the way it is up here.

“The players here are aware of that. It is a tough challenge for everyone at the club because Celtic are dominating.”

Off, as well as on, the field.

“They are in a position where they can go and spend £9-million on a player,” said the former Liverpool and England star.

“Of course, we’ll keep an eye on movements across the road, in terms of how they strengthen in the summer.

“But what’s important is that we are in a position to challenge that.

“The reality is we need to add quality for that to happen.

“It is hard to find players with that mentality because they cost a lot of money.

“So we have to weave some magic in the market to find these players who might surprise people.

“Not everyone with that quality costs money.

“There are people running down contracts, free transfers, players who are blocked at big clubs, like we have seen with Ryan Kent.

“There are exciting players out there.

“But we have to go and strike – and convince people that this is the destination for them to come to and have a good time.

“It is exciting, the thought of trying to create something capable of challenging for the big prizes.

“It is a challenge, too. To identify and attract the right people who are not just going to want to come and be Rangers players, but who are actually going to come and improve the XI.

“Finding those individuals is difficult. But it is also exciting.”

It is a process which, he assures fans, is well underway.

“It never stops, to be honest. Myself, Mark Allen and the recruitment guys are watching games, going out to watch players here, there and everywhere. It is non-stop.

“We are having conversations and trying to identify people that are going to help the team improve and the squad improve.

“It is quite clear that we have progressed and done well in certain areas.

“But the reality is that it is time to strive for quality.”