Crucial position takes Gers transfer priority as Ibrox rocked by double injury blow: view
12/15/2024 07:00 AM
Rangers are a couple of weeks out from the January transfer window and one position in the club's squad has emerged as an area of rising concern.
Gers manager Philippe Clement has already claimed that the club have identified several key areas of the squad which need fresh investment next month.
It comes amid claims from Clement that he is due to meet with the Rangers board to discuss this winter's transfer budget at Ibrox.
But just as Rangers start to pick up a run of form, injuries have begun to impact a crucial area of the first-team squad with the centre of defence now a damning transfer priority.
Rangers lose two centre-backs to injury
Rangers are looking increasingly slim at the heart of their defence heading into the Premier Sports Cup Final at Hampden.
The Gers are already without Dutch U21 defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo, who has deputised across the entire backline this season.
Kasanwirjo, 22, has undergone surgery on the issue and has returned to Feyenoord to continue his rehabilitation.
Whilst Rangers reportedly remain interested in signing Kasanwirjo permanently, Clement has previously suggested the club will re-enter the market for an alternative.
It's a need that is growing ever stronger too after John Souttar went down and was forced off in the 1-1 Europa League draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
The influence Rangers and Scotland defender has been a monumental figure for club and country this season and had been playing the most consistent football of his career to date.
But after pulling up following an innocuous pass out of defence, Souttar could be out for an extended period and is a major doubt for the Premier Sports Cup Final with Celtic.
Defence now a damning Rangers transfer priority
The situation leaves Rangers with only two established centre-backs in the squad.
Dutch defender Robin Propper put in one of his best Gers performances in the Europa League draw with Spurs but the jury remains out on the defender domestically.
The ex-FC Twente captain has pedigree but has been taken out of the team in Scotland, with Propper himself admitting he has had to make an adjustment.
But now it's really sink or swim with Propper expected to step up in the absence of options.
Experienced defender Leon Balogun, 36, has also proven himself to be a dependable and consistent option for Rangers.
But the ex-Brighton centre-back has broken down when over exposed to first-team football, with Rangers one more defensive injury away from catastrophe.
The club will hope to amble through to the January window with a new centre back surely a transfer priority for Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement.
We've seen Rangers make moves early in the transfer window under this recruitment team and we expect the same when it comes to recruiting a new defensive option.
