Rangers transfer market review: Balancing loans with long-term planning

Rangers have made key signings this summer through a mix of loans and permanent deals. Loans bring quick quality and flexibility but can hurt long-term stability. Permanent signings build a solid core but require more investment. Here, we weigh the pros and cons of their transfer strategy and what it means for the club’s future.
Luton Town v Tottenham Hotspur - Pre-Season Friendly
Luton Town v Tottenham Hotspur - Pre-Season Friendly | Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Rangers have been productive in the transfer market so far this summer, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

We’ve recruited Lyall Cameron, Joe Rothwell, Emmanuel Fernandez, Thelo Aasgaard, and Djeidi Gassama on permanent deals, while Oscar Cortés’ loan has also been made permanent.

In addition, Max Aarons and Nasser Djiga have arrived on loan to bolster the backline.

This has, inevitably, sparked the usual ridicule from outside quarters about “Loan FC” and the like, comments that, quite frankly, should be ignored.

Still, the criticism isn't entirely without merit: we cannot build a sustainable side on loan deals alone.

In recent seasons, we’ve seen the likes of Malik Tillman, Abdallah Sima, and Václav Černý arrive on loan, become key players, and then depart with no realistic prospect of a return.

The temporary nature of those deals ultimately left us scrambling to replace important contributors rather than building a settled core.

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Now, with the Gers reportedly linked with Tottenham Hotspur youngster Mikey Moore on a season-long loan, the debate continues.

There are, of course, positives to be found in the right short-term deals. Aarons, for instance, could potentially become a permanent fixture if things go well.

But for players like Djiga and possibly Moore, these are developmental loans arranged for the benefit of their parent clubs, who view them as future first-teamers.

While we may not want to see ourselves as a stepping stone or a developmental arm for wealthier clubs, the reality of Scottish football in 2025 makes that difficult to avoid.

The financial landscape simply doesn’t allow us to assemble a squad entirely composed of permanent signings at the quality we aspire to.

That said, there are benefits. Well-chosen loans can plug gaps, raise standards, and inject talent we might otherwise never afford.

If these players help us win titles, progress in Europe, and bring value on the pitch, then they serve a purpose, so long as they’re complemented by a solid base of permanent, club-committed professionals.

On the flip side, the example of Ryan Kent perfectly illustrates the importance of securing key players on permanent deals.

Kent arrived at Rangers initially on loan before making his move permanent, and he quickly became one of the team’s most influential attacking threats.

His commitment and consistent performances, in those early few years were vital in building a strong core at Ibrox, something that can’t be replicated by short-term loan deals with no hope of a full time deal alone.

Kent’s success story shows the value of turning promising loans into long-term signings to ensure stability and continuity in the squad.

While loans can provide immediate cover or developmental opportunities, it’s players like Kent who form the backbone of a team capable of sustained success.

The key is balance.

The goal must always be to develop a squad that’s not only good enough to win in the short term, but stable enough to grow in the long term. That means being selective, strategic, and above all, thinking beyond just the next window.