Today is transfer deadline day, and it looks set to be a busy one for Rangers and Russell Martin as the under-fire boss looks to add to his side ahead of a crucial run of fixtures that could make or break his Ibrox tenure.
Hibs, Hearts and Livingston are all on the horizon post international break, with crucial UEFA Europa League matches against Belgian side Genk and Sturm Graz of Austria early doors.
The Gers crashed out of the UEFA Champions League 9-1 to fellow Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge last month, and drew all four of their opening quartet of William Hill Premiership games, leaving the Gers support rampant with rage and doubting their new head coach.
The first bit of business set to be completed today is not for a new signing however, but for a departure to a fellow Scottish side.
Swedish defender emerges as Rangers transfer target
Rangers move for experienced Scottish midfielder as Raskin future remains uncertain
Manchester United target Rangers midfielder in deadline day deal
Teenage midfielder Bailey Rice looks set to return to former club and league rivals Motherwell on a season long loan deal before tonight’s transfer deadline, returning to the club he departed to join Rangers from in the summer of 2022.
Rice joined the Steelmen as a youth player, and was a product of the Motherwell youth academy and part of the SFA Performance School Programme via Braidhurst High School but rejected a professional contract at Fir Park to join Rangers, then under Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.
He had been part of a highly impressive youth midfield with Lennon Miller, who recently departed the Well for Italian side Udinese for a transfer fee reported as £4.75 million including potential add-ons.
While Miller flourished in the first team in Lanarkshire, Rice has had a difficult development at Ibrox, highly touted by former boss Michael Beale, he made his debut under the Englishman against Livingston in early 2023, but has only made a further 14 appearances in the two-and-a-half years since for Rangers.
He looks set to agree an extension to his contract at Ibrox, which was due to expire at the end of this campaign and return to Motherwell to gain some much needed first team experience and kick on ahead of a return to Ibrox next summer.
The deal should be completed as soon as this extension is announced, giving Rangers breathing space to continue his development and the player a chance to prove his worth at a good level ahead of a make or break return to Ibrox next summer.