'Think outside the box': Nils Koppen explains why Rangers signed £2m ace and £1.7m man this summer

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If Rangers are to climb back to the summit of the Scottish football mountain, then the work of recruitment chief Nils Koppen is likely to play a major role.

This summer was his first at Ibrox.

And the early signs are that, under Nils Koppen, Rangers’ recruitment is a lot more focused and considered than during the Mick Beale era.

Nedim Bajrami, Connor Barron, Robin Propper and Neraysho Kasanwirjo all look like inspired additions while Vaclav Cerny silenced his Rangers critics with a stunning brace in last week’s 2-0 win over St Johnstone.

Rangers only need look down the road at Celtic, meanwhile, to realise that there is serious value to be found in those lesser-tapped markets.

While Celtic’s success under Ange Postecoglou was driven largely by some outstanding left-field additions – the Japanese trio of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi especially – some of Rangers’ most intriguing signings in the Koppen era were also far from household names before touching down in Scotland.

• READ MORE:Rangers Transfer History 2016-Present

Nils Koppen explains Rangers’ Jefte and Hamza Igamane signings

Jefte, the £2 million left-back, arrived from Brazilian outfit Fluminense after a loan spell in Cyprus with APOEL Nicosia.

Hamza Igamane, meanwhile, was snapped up in a £1.7 million deal from RAF Rabat in his native Morocco.

And, speaking on Friday, Koppen confirms that delving into more under-the-radar markets is a strategy the Premiership challengers will look to continue going forward.

"It's important to look all over the globe about where we can compete financially without losing the focus on Scotland and the local market,” Koppen explains, the likes of Jefte and Igamane often more attainable and affordable than targets based in England or elsewhere in Scotland.

“To look worldwide gives us more opportunities to sign these talents, and I think football is going fast. The UK market is getting more difficult for us financially so we have to think outside the box and get creative.

"But also we have to look at profiles – even Brazil or Morocco – that is more suitable. It's about looking in the different market but finding suitable profiles."

Rangers boss Philippe Clement is full of praise for Jefte and Igamane

Igamane is yet to open his account this season.

Comparisons have been drawn with Igamane and ex-Rangers hero Alfredo Morelos, although Philippe Clement is keen to preach patience with the Ibrox newbie.

Igamane, a physically imposing yet technically gifted number nine, appears to be the sort of centre-forward capable of getting the best out of the forwards alongside him due to his clever link-play and unselfish running.

Jefte, meanwhile, continues to improve seemingly by the week.

The Brazilian had big boots to fill at Rangers when he replaced Borna Barisic. Jefte’s terrific delivery from the left-hand side and his ability to get up and down the flank with ease is, however, certainly reminiscent of the Croatian in his royal blue pomp.

It is no secret that the Glasgow giants initially tried to sign Jefte back in January.

Clement admitted that Rangers fought off a host of clubs for Jefte’s signature when he finally put pen to paper, with the left-back proving that the wait was worth it after all.

"From January on, we kept a lot of contact with him,” Clement said back in August. "A lot of teams were interested in him. A lot of other clubs wanted to sign him. But (Jefte) was really convinced about the project here.

"He's a very talented player for the future. He needs to learn a lot of things. He's only 20 and he had one year of experience in Europe but he has the right mentality to fight and be there for the team.

"He has a lot of physical and technical qualities. We made a big fight during six months to get him here."