Rangers are already beginning to stir in the January transfer market as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of what is shaping up to be a genuine title push in the second half of the season.
With momentum building under Danny Rohl, there is a growing expectation that majority shareholder Andrew Cavenagh will back the German head coach and allow him to add quality in key areas alongside new sporting advisor Stig Inge Bjornebye, who has arrived on a six-month advisory deal to assist with the transfer window.
Victories over League Cup winners’ St Mirren and Motherwell over the past week kept Rangers within touching distance of the summit, leaving them six points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian and three behind Old Firm rivals Celtic ahead of tomorrow’s match at Celtic Park, but the message from Ibrox is clear: depth will be crucial if Rangers are to sustain a title challenge.
The centre of midfield remains an area of concern.
Injuries, form fluctuations and a lack of genuine rotation options have left Rangers light in the engine room, and it is no surprise that recruitment there is already under discussion with Joe Rothwell set to depart this month, Nedim Bajrami and Kieran Dowell transfer listed and Nicolas Raskin linked with moves to English sides Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United amongst others.
According to Italian outlet La Nazione, Rangers are in talks over a move for Emil Bohinen, who is currently on loan at Venezia from Genoa.
The report suggests that Genoa and Venezia are prepared to terminate the Norwegian’s loan early, opening the door for a January switch.
Bohinen, 26, has featured just nine times in Serie B and the Italian Cup this season, but his reputation remains strong across Europe.
Rangers are not alone in monitoring his situation, with Spezia and several Eredivisie clubs also credited with an interest.
Last season, Bohinen spent time at Frosinone, making 16 appearances as they narrowly avoided the relegation play-off places.
His career path has been unconventional but instructive: after emerging at Stabæk in his homeland of Norway, for whom he has ten caps and a single goal, he attracted interest from English clubs including Sheffield United and Leeds United, even training with Sheffield United during their Premier League spell in 2020.
A move to England never materialised, however, with Bohinen instead joining Russian club CSKA Moscow in 2021 before spells with Salernitana, Genoa and now Venezia.
For Rangers supporters, there is a familiar appeal here. Bohinen’s British upbringing - he was born in Derby – where his father Lars Bohinen played for the Rams at the time, could ease any adaptation to life in Glasgow or work permit issues, while his profile fits Rohl’s preference for mobile, technically sound midfielders capable of operating in high-tempo systems.
He will also be arriving alongside his international teammate Thelo Aasgaard at Ibrox, who joined the club from Luton Town in the summer.
Nothing is close to completion yet, but the fact Rangers are already active speaks volumes. If the title race is to go the distance, additions like Bohinen may prove not just desirable but essential.
Other midfield links include former Ibrox player Josh Windass, Motherwell stand out Elliot Watt, Tromso youngster Jens Hjerto-Dahl and Scotland hero Kenny McLean.