Rangers endure another case of what if in the transfer market
Rangers success in the transfer market has been lacking in recent years and this has predominantly stemmed from a poor backing by the board.
Under both Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Steven Gerrard, targets such as Joey Veerman, Danilho Doekhi and even Ivan Toney slipped through the net, only to find success elsewhere at a much higher level.
It isn’t just talent from abroad which the club have missed out on. Indeed, it is perhaps the failures from closer to home which have hit the Ibrox side the hardest in recent times.
Rangers missed out on Lewis Ferguson transfer in 2022
The former Aberdeen midfielder, nephew of ex Rangers captain Barry Ferguson, is a boyhood bluenose and a move to Ibrox seemed like the natural choice following his stint in the North East.
Last summer was perhaps the ideal chance to secure a move for the Scot, yet he decided to join Serie A side Bologna for just £3m and hasn’t looked back.
He scored seven goals during a stunning maiden campaign in Italy and there is no doubt Rangers missed out by failing to sign the 23-year-old.
Could they have made yet another transfer mishap during this window?
Should Rangers have signed Max Johnston?
Although the Gers weren’t explicitly linked with the former Motherwell starlet, it could represent another potential transfer howler with regard to missing out on local talent.
Johnston, having made just 19 appearances for the Steelmen last season, joined Austrian outfit Sturm Graz, and could be set to feature in the Champions League qualifiers.
Dujon Sterling, who was signed as cover for James Tavernier, has shown glimpses of his undoubted talent during his career, but perhaps Michael Beale should have taken a gamble on Johnston instead.
The Scottish U21 international may not have been the immediate answer for Beale, although with his penchant for working with talented youngsters, Ibrox may have been the best option for Johnston to continue his impressive development.