If Rangers are really serious about taking the title from Celtic, they need to invest in the centre of their defence, says Davie Weir

Davie Weir reckons Rangers are just three quality signings away from winning the title next season.

And the last man to lift the SPFL Premiership trophy for the Ibrox club sees the capture of a trusted and experienced central defender as the key to success.

The former Light Blues captain knows exactly what it takes to deliver such success after leading the club to their last major trophy, way back in 2011.

To see Celtic gearing up to try and win their ninth consecutive title hurts Weir.

But he is certain that the job being done by Steven Gerrard gives him a decent chance of preventing the Hoops from reaching the Holy Grail of 10-in-a-row.

Weir told The Sunday Post: “There is absolutely no doubt there has been an improvement in Rangers under Steven Gerrard.

“That is a fact and not up for debate.

“Where the disappointment comes from is the fact that they have been found wanting when it came to crunch time, and not reaching a major cup final this season has grabbed the headlines.

“But if you take a step back and really analyse it, they are on a more than decent road.

“You look at the Old Firm games, and there has been really nothing between the teams. That has got to give Steven Gerrard and the players true encouragement.

“The final game against Celtic is next Sunday, and if Rangers can win that one, then it sounds out all the right signals.

“But, regardless of results in their next three games, Rangers need to strengthen their squad.

“I think there is a decent depth to it, but they must add three quality players.

“The spine of any side is always the most important.

“In Allan McGregor they have a top keeper, and in Steven Davis a midfielder who can control the tempo and dictate where the ball goes.

“Up front, Jermain Defoe is as good a finisher as there is out there, and he will bang in the goals.

“So, it’s about addressing the situation in the centre of defence and finding the best you can.

“If Rangers are really serious about taking the title from Celtic, they need to invest in that area of the pitch.

“Central defenders do not come cheaply, but if you can land the right one then you will not regret it.

“However, I know that every club in the land is searching for the diamond to play at centre-half.

“That’s where your contacts come into play for an early tip-off, and your recruitment team need to get pull something special out of the bag.

“Connor Goldson has been solid enough at the back, but for me he still lacks that wee bit of experience.

“Nikola Katic has the other jersey just now, but he is also lacking in big-game experience over a period of time.

“When you look at the Celtic team over the past few years, they have had very good central defenders in Virgil van Dijk and more recently Filip Benkovic. Young Kris Ajer is also looking the part.

“The challenge is there for Rangers to improve that area of their team and add more experience.”

When Weir was winning three titles on the trot, he had the likes of Carlos Cuellar and Madjid Bougherra alongside him.

What would Gerrard give now to have a defender of that quality at his disposal?

After his five years and 162 games as a Rangers player, Weir had 18 months back at the club as assistant manager to Mark Warburton, and in that time go the club promoted back to the Premiership.

He fully got to know the angst of the fans over the club’s demotion to Scottish football’s bottom tier in 2012, and their desperation for silverware to return to the Ibrox Trophy Room.

They parted company with the club the season after reaching the top flight, then worked together again at Nottingham Forest.

Weir is now part of the backroom staff at Brighton & Hove Albion, and is all over the world scouting and keeping a watchful eye on the loan players they have at different clubs.

He is also responsible for finding the right clubs for players they want to loan out.

But Rangers remain his first love.

Weir genuinely feels his former club are within touching distance of their fiercest rivals, however, and it’s a challenge they should be ready to embrace.

He said: “The gap between the Old Firm sides is not massive.

“I think the quality and consistency at Celtic isn’t as strong as it was one or two years ago. And Rangers are much stronger than they were 12 or 18 months ago.

“If you put all of that into the mix, then you must believe you can catch them.

“Of course, the numbers are stacking up in Celtic’s favour and Rangers need to find a way to stop nine titles. It’s sort of non-negotiable.

“That’s why it’s vital to get the best players in as quickly as you can.

“You then need to keep your fingers crossed that they settle in and hit the ground running.

“Winning games early in the season is going to give Rangers the best possible chance. There can’t be any hiccups.

“You hope that there may be a bit if disruption across the city at Parkhead, between the decision over who will be the permanent manager and their need to bring in new players.

“If there is the slightest chance of Celtic being unsettled, Rangers must be ready to take advantage.

“If they can win games and win the first Old Firm game of the campaign, then there will be pressure on Celtic.

“It will be interesting to see how they all cope with that.

“At the moment, everything is hypothetical and we will have a clearer picture once we see how both clubs get on in their recruitment process.

“Of course, there is greater financial muscle at Celtic, but that doesn’t always count for everything.

“How you spend is just as important as how much you have to spend.

“That said, the more Steven Gerrard is given, then you would imagine the greater the chances of stopping Celtic.

“What we do know is that it’s going to be very interesting. I don’t think anyone will be able to stop for a breath.

“I will be keeping a very close eye on it all. I hope Rangers can turn things around and get back to winning titles and cups as quickly as possible.

“The Rangers fans deserve proper success.”