The one position that Rangers don't need to sign in the summer transfer window - opinion
23/04/2025 19:00
Rangers have a lot of work to do in the summer, both in the board room and on the pitch, but fans only care about one thing.
Another trophyless season is unacceptable, the fact that a glove hasn't been layed on Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race is even worse.
To rub salt into the wounds, Rangers could well end the season with three Old Firm derby wins and still be 10 points behind on the table.
The timing of the takeover by the San Francisco 49ers couldn't be better with a fresh start, fresh ideas and, more importantly, fresh money needed to kick start the club from top to bottom.
The Rangers squad needs another summer rebuild, but there is one position that doesn't need to be touched.
Rangers don’t need to sign another striker in the summer
There is a clear and obvious problem with Rangers' performances this season.
Thoughts might turn to the forwards missing chances, however, the biggest issue is the concession of cheap goals and the inability to keep clean sheets.
Since Barry Ferguson took charge as Rangers manager, scoring three goals has been the necessity to earn all three points.
Money will need to be spent to fix the defence, plus depth and more suitable options in midfield and on the wings will also be needed.
Those are the three main areas of concern for Rangers.
The one position where Rangers are well catered for, is striker.
What do the numbers say?
What Rangers need though, is for the next manager to pick the right one.
Looking at the numbers, Cyriel Dessers stands out as the No.9 who has been trusted most often to lead the line.
In the league, Dessers has started 75% of games through the middle with Hamza Igamane the other 25%.
Danilo, for one reason, or another, has yet to start a league game.
In total, Rangers' three main strikers have contributed to 60 goals, roughly, one every 108 minutes when their playing time is combined.
As seen since Ferguson took over, if Rangers want to move forwards, Dessers has to drop down the pecking order.
| NAME | APPEARANCES | GOALS | ASSISTS | MINUTES | GOALS PER MIN LEAGUE |
| Cyriel Dessers | 50 | 23 | 7 | 2997 | 141 |
| Hamza Igamane | 42 | 15 | 3 | 2412 | 159 |
| Danilo | 24 | 7 | 4 | 936 | 153 |
Who should Rangers pick until the end of the season?
Between now and the end of the season, Rangers need to pick a different team, otherwise results will stay the same and performances will be just as frenetic.
Danilo has the best goal contribution record in the league, and yet Ferguson isn't putting him on the pitch until the last five minutes – if he is lucky.
There is a similar problem with Igamane, he is either on the bench, or picked in a supporting role for Dessers.
Dessers' numbers are good, but the other strikers can match them whilst also contributing more to the team.
What is positive, is that Rangers don't need to buy a striker in the summer, they can rotate as and when they need, knowing that they can all get good numbers.
