Blackburn Rovers midfielder Joe Rothwell is interesting Rangers.

The Sun says the Scottish champions have earmarked Rothwell, 26, and plan to get serious in the next window.

Rothwell can sign a pre-contract with a non-English club in January.

And Gers boss Gerrard hopes to ward off rivals by striking early, which Rovers prefer.

The former Manchester United starlet was strongly linked with Brentford over the summer.

But the Bees instead looked elsewhere amid a transfer spree that has helped them to mid-table in their first ever Premier League season.