FORMER Rangers hero Ted McMinn reckons it would be a ‘gamble’ for boss Mark Warburton to sign midfielder John Eustace this summer.

The 35-year-old will spend the next four weeks training with the Light Blues squad as he bids to win a deal at Ibrox following his release from Derby at the end of the season.

Eustace missed the second half of the campaign after going under the knife to cure a knee problem, but could be rewarded with a one-year deal by boss Warburton if he can impress this month.

And McMinn, who spent five years with the Rams during his playing days and still stays in the East Midlands, reckons there would be a risk attached by signing a midfielder in the twilight of his career.

He told SportTimes: “I have watched him quite a bit at Derby. We got him from Watford and he is a decent player.

“He got an injury and was out for a long time, and missed the back end of the season. He had an operation on a knee.

“I saw his interview when he arrived in Glasgow and he wasn’t sure he would be fit to train for a couple of weeks. It is a gamble for Rangers.

“For the player, at 35, he has got a club like Rangers after him and it could be his swansong. It is a gamble for Rangers, though.

“He is a sitting midfield player and has got a lot of experience.

“I found out he had been released from Derby and then got a few messages saying he had been linked with Rangers and I thought ‘what is the manager’s thinking there?’ Is it for experience and to have an older head?

“It will be up to the manager to see how he does over the next couple of weeks and we will see what happens then.”

Warburton has spoken positively about the prospect of bringing Eustace to Ibrox in recent weeks and praised the Englishman’s professionalism and leadership skills as he looks to add experience to his Gers squad.

The Light Blues boss will have to appoint a new captain for this season to lead Rangers in their bid for the Ladbrokes Championship title.

Eustace is likely to be in the running to wear the armband if he signs on the dotted line, but McMinn insists he will have to prove he is ready to lead from the front first.

He said: “I am not saying Eustace is a bad player. But there are players out there that can lead Rangers on and have a career there for three or four years.

“I think Mark should look beyond this season. If we do get into the Premiership, which we should, I don’t think Eustace will be used as much next season.

“But, for this season, we have to see how his knee is. He has been out for six months.

“I had a knee injury, and I was out for 14 months and was never the same again. Yes, you can blag it and say ‘it is not sore’, but when you are behind closed doors it is in agony.

“You can mask it, but only you know how bad the injury is and how fit you are. He does look after himself, so hopefully there are no problems there. I have seen him in training and he is a fit lad.

“He is quite vocal and he has been talked about as a captain. I am not sure about that. But, then again, who is left from the ones that didn’t get released that are natural leaders?”