Rangers January recruitment strategy is beginning to sharpen into focus as we bear the end of the winter window. with the club balancing long-term admiration for emerging talent against the immediate need to address gaps in the current squad under head coach Danny Rohl.
While Rangers remain keen admirers of Jens Hjertø-Dahl and fellow Scandinavian prospect Silas Andersen, and retain long-term aspirations of bringing one or both to Ibrox, the priority this window lies elsewhere.
The Rangers Review have indicated that Rohl’s main midfield target in January is an experienced number six.
Suggesting the German boss would like to add a defensive midfielder with a physical presence, tactical discipline and a calming influence on his youthful teammates.
That profile has been notably absent since the departure of Ryan Jack in 2024 and the retirement of Steven Davis six-months before due to injury.
Both players, in different ways, provided Rangers with game management, positional intelligence and leadership at the base of midfield - qualities Rohl believes are essential if his side are to sustain consistency across a title run-in.
The current midfield options, while athletic and mobile, have often lacked that natural organiser who can slow games down, screen the defence and dictate tempo during pressured spells.
As a result, Rangers’ interest in younger, high-upside talents like Hjertø-Dahl and Andersen is being viewed more as part of a potential summer boost rather than an immediate solution this month.
This preference for experience is not new at Ibrox. Last summer, former Rangers manager Philippe Clement had identified Joan Jordán as a prime target to fill a similar role. The Sevilla midfielder, a two-time UEFA Europa League winner with Sevilla, ultimately opted to remain in Spain, spending the season on loan at Alavés before returning to Sevilla this season.
That move closed off what Rangers believed could have been a ready-made solution in the holding midfield role.
Another name loosely associated with Rangers in recent weeks is Kenny McLean, currently at Norwich City, now managed by Phillipe Clement. McLean’s experience, leadership and familiarity with the Scottish game make him a logical fit on paper, but at present, no approaches have been made and the situation remains purely speculative.
Another rumour comes from the Sheffield Star’s Danny Hall – who has suggested Rangers are once again front-runners to sign Sunderland hero Dan Neil, edging off Sheffield United and FC Koln for his signature.
Sunderland have been looking for a fee of around £3 million for the one-club-man, despite his contract being due to expire in the summer.
Rangers will not be moving for former Scotland and current Sheffield Wednesday holding midfielder Barry Bannan, who will join Millwall before the window closes.
Beyond midfield, Rohl’s attention is also turning toward the attacking department.
The German coach now sees the addition of a forward as the next major priority of the window.
While it was previously understood that Rangers would need to offload Danilo in order to facilitate another attacking signing, that position has softened. The club are no longer insisting on a departure before recruiting, though they remain open to letting the Brazilian leave - but only “for the right price”.
Motherwell forward Tawanda Maswanhise is being tracked by Rangers recruitment team, but no contact has been made between the player and club or the clubs themselves - if Rangers are to move for a domestic striker the most likely option would be Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie - with Rangers asking to be kept informed of any transfer developments earlier this window.
Hibs asking price, north of £6m is believed to be a major stumbling block of this potential move however.
That flexibility reflects Rangers broader January approach: reducing inefficiencies in the squad while ensuring key additions improve balance rather than simply add numbers.
Younger talents like Hjertø-Dahl and Andersen remain firmly on the club’s radar for the future, but for now, Rohl is focused on adding experience, control and composure - the foundations he believes are required before Rangers can fully capitalise on their long-term vision.
As ever in January, situations can change quickly. But Rangers intent appears clear: admire potential, but prioritise authority - and build a squad capable not just of competing, but of managing the moments and the big games that define a title race.