Three problem areas Rangers have to address when transfer window opens
03/22/2025 03:00 PM
On and off the pitch, 2024 couldn't have been much worse for Rangers with the club in turmoil in the boardroom and in the league.
Still without a permanent Rangers manager, Patrick Stewart wants a sporting director in place before any more big calls are made.
Speculation has been quiet in terms of possible candidates, however, Nils Koppen will appreciate the help ahead of what could be a busy summer.
The Rangers squad has shown signs of life recently against Fenerbahce as well as the last three performances against Celtic demonstrating that quality isn't an issue.
The problem, as it has been since Philippe Clement took charge at Ibrox, is that there is a lack of balance with areas of the team needing immediate attention.
Three problem positions that Rangers must fix in the summer
There are individuals who will have to be moved on in the summer to clear space; players like Kieran Dowell and Jose Cifuentes, Danilo's future is also in doubt, given his lack of game time in the last three fixtures.
Wages will also be cut with Tom Lawrence and Ianis Hagi among those whose contracts are set to expire.
Improve centre-half consistency
Rangers have played every combination of centre-half this season due to injury and form, something that clearly isn't beneficial to build cohesiveness at the back or to protect Jack Butland.
Robin Propper hasn't adapted and should be sold to free up space which leaves John Souttar and Clinton Nsiala as the two to start building from.
The template should be Leon Balogun, the veteran will be 37 in the summer so, it would be a surprise to see him offered a new deal.
He might not be on big wages, but the Nigeria international has managed just 23 appearances.
Finding a player with his profile, aggression, ability in the air and pace is a summer priority.
Increase the depth of and quality in midfield
If the last three fixtures have shown that Rangers do have some good players, it has also shown that there is a lack of depth in midfield.
Outside of Connor Barron, Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande, there are no other senior options.
Tom Lawrence, Nedim Bajrami and Ianis Hagi are all either attacking midfielders or converted wide forwards, and all three of them might not be at the club next season anyway.
A move away from the No.10 system and signing players like Diomande, who can be flexible depending on the tactics, would give the next manager a much more balanced squad.
A good example is Lyall Cameron who has signed already, but will have to go up a level when he arrives at Auchenhowie.
If Koppen signed Dejan Ljubicic, a player already scouted and assessed by both Rangers and the 49ers Enterprises group, there would instantly be more cover in the engine room.
Sign pace, creativity and goals out wide
The last two managers played with wingers, and yet, the only winger who has been signed on a permanent basis has been Oscar Cortes.
With Rabbi Matondo deemed surplus to requirements, at least two will be needed.
Vaclav Cerny wants a permanent move, however, finances might dictate otherwise.
As a like-for-like replacement, Adama Traore at Ferencvaros, who was at the "advanced stages" of talks last summer, could be the perfect fit.
Not only is the 28-year old available on a Bosman, but he has a track record of scoring goals, he is also lightning fast having drawn comparisons to Kylian Mbappe.
Despite being encouraged to sign for Barcelona, in terms of project signings, Relebohile Mofokeng has huge potential and has been heavily linked over the last 12 months.
There are, of course, other areas that need attention, however, addressing these problem areas instantly improve the squad's resilience and potential to compete over a longer period of time.
