Potential Rangers transfer needs with just a week left of the window
It’s been an incredible busy summer of transfer activity so far at Rangers.
Nine players arrived at Ibrox before a ball was even kicked for the competitive season, whilst a similar number of players have left for pastures new, including some who contributed massively during their time at the club, including Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos.
Players who make such an impact aren’t easy to replace, and some of the newbies have adjusted to life in Govan quicker than others. Jack Butland, for example, looks as though he’s been playing in a Rangers jersey for years now, whilst the likes of Cyriel Dessers is only just starting to give properly going.
With six games of the season now having taken place, and with just the one week left to go of the transfer window, us as fans have a good idea of which areas of the team still need strengthened up.
However, with such a massive summer of activity in terms of ins and outs, the squad remains bloated in areas, so more departures may likely be necessary if more signings are to be made.
We look at how this may go by close of play next Friday September 1st.
Goalkeeper
Definite: Jack Butland, Kieran Wright
Potential: Robby McCrorie, Jon McLaughlin
As we’ve already alluded to, Jack Butland’s early form has answered any questions over whether he should be the undoubted Rangers Number 1.
The big questions remains regarding what will happen with his Number 2’s. Robby McCrorie apparently told Michael Beale that he wanted regular game time at this stage of his career, but to-date, no bids appeared to have come in for him. Links with Manchester United have came up, but he’d be getting the same, if not less game time there than he would be Ibrox.
If McCrorie was to depart, then the club would likely need to try and bring in another home-grown goalkeeper to fill the quota needed for European competition.
Defence
Definite: James Tavernier, Dujon Sterling, Connor Goldson, John Souttar, Leon Balogun, Borna Barisic, Ridvan Yilmaz
Potential: Ben Davies, Leon King
The most obvious area of the pitch Rangers need reinforcements in is at the centre of defence.
It’s looking more and more likely that Ben Davies will depart if a suitable enough bid comes in for him, and truth be told, his skillset really hasn’t been a good suit for the Scottish game.
The need for a more aggressive centre back is a must to replace him, especially given the team’s proneness to set-back goals. Leon King could also depart on loan in a similar vein to Alex Lowry.
Some people may also put either of the two left backs on the potential list as well, but I believe Borna Barisic has done enough so far to merit being a part of the squad, unless a decent enough offer comes in, and whilst there is rumours Beale doesn’t want him and concerns about his fragility, Ridvan Yilmaz is a perfect fit for how Beale wants to play so I think he will remain as well.
Midfield
Definite: Ryan Jack, Nico Raskin, Todd Cantwell, Jose Cifuentes, Kieran Dowell, Tom Lawrence
Potential: John Lundstram, Ianis Hagi
Departing: Glen Kamara
Arguably the area we needed the biggest revamp in back in January is now the area to needs the least amount of work now.
Glen Kamara seems to have been on the verge of departing imminently for all of the summer, but his move to Leeds looks to be one that will go through, with the money from that used to improve other areas of the squad.
The only chance of any further additions in the midfield would be if one or two others depart as well. Ianis Hagi is the interesting case here, with his exclusion from the PSV squad and post-match rant against Morton leading many to believe he might see his future elsewhere for more starting football, something Beale said was a possibility on Monday.
John Lundstram could also be one that may depart with a worthy bid comes in with just a year left on his deal, although he if can take forward his form he showed as a sub against PSV, then he may still have a part to play in the squad.
Attack
Definite: Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Rabbi Matondo, Abdallah Sima, Kemar Roofe, Danilo
Potential: Scott Wright
As we detailed today on the site, a winger is something that Michael Beale is still actively looking into, which is understandably given how much we’ve craved width at times in games so far this season.
You could argue Rangers needed two of these just a few weeks ago, but the recent uptick in form by Rabbi Matondo means that the club will only need the one. There is every chance Scott Wright may still be an option, as it appears more and more than he turned down the chance to play in Turkey.
Main attacking Number 9 type players don’t look an issue though, especially if you add Kemar Roofe into the equation.
Transfer Needs Summarised
Definite: Left-sided centre back, winger
Potential: Squad player centre midfield, backup goalkeeper