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“Big Shock”: Expert advises Rangers to repress the temptation to profit from a “sellable” asset
According to Scott Allan, Rangers selling Jack Butland would be a “huge shock” and the team would have to consider how supporters would react to his “sellability” before making the move.
Despite the possibility of earning a sizable sum, the former Celtic midfielder—a lifelong supporter of the Gers—argues that the club must hold onto the custodian and that selling Butland would send the wrong message to the supporters.
Butland is thought to be the most valuable player in Philippe Clement’s team, and the manager has acknowledged that the team needs to sell before adding more players.
Butland, you play such a crucial role in your team as a custodian’, Allan said to host Peter Martin during PLZ Soccer’s Football Show on 7 August.
When they are attempting to construct something, how does that appear to the fans? To me, that would be quite shocking.
“Especially at a Rangers or a Celtic, that balance between being marketable and being aware of your fan base and the direction the team is taking is crucial.”
Butland must remain with the Rangers despite his market value.
The majority of Rangers supporters will undoubtedly agree with Allan when he says that although Clement could bolster important areas elsewhere by selling Butland, his departure would deplete the team.
The impact of the England international last season, which earned him multiple Team of the Year selections, cannot be understated. It is unsettling to think about how bad things could have gotten for the Light Blues if Butland had not been the reassuring presence in goal.
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Only Nottingham Forest has made enquiries about the stopper thus far, despite his performances creating connections south of the border [Daily Record, 7 August]; the approach was promptly rejected.
Jack Butland had an excellent first season with Rangers
The Gers supporters may have been displeased with Gareth Southgate’s decision to ignore calls for the player to return to the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 because it could have raised doubts in his mind.
With three years left on his deal, Butland keeps a steady hand for Clement and the Ibrox team and appears to be happy in Glasgow.
Rangers starter is pushed by European giants to accept an exit offer, but he’s worried about the response – report
According to Foltomac, Ridvan Yilmaz isn’t sure if he will accept the chance to join Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray before the transfer deadline and leave Rangers.
On August 6, the Turkish publication revealed via X that the left-back is unsure about the transfer because of possible backlash from supporters of his previous team, Besiktas.
Although the two teams are fierce rivals in Istanbul, the Gala management is currently attempting to persuade him to return to the Super League.
Yilmaz has also been connected to a summer return to his previous team, where he would reunite with Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who brought him to Ibrox in the first place [Turkiye Gazete, June 18].
Borna Barisic was allowed to leave the Rangers by Philippe Clement.
Yilmaz began the first day of the draw at Hearts on August 3, so if he leaves due to the persistent rumours of a return to Turkey, a change of leadership would be necessary.
Although 20-year-old Jefte was signed to replace Borna Barisic in the squad after the Croatian made his own move to the Super Lig with John Lundstram at Trabzonspor, Philippe Clement has brought in Jefte this summer who could step in.
Yilmaz’s small stature raised concerns during the first half at Tynecastle, but the Ibrox boss made it clear earlier in the window that everyone except Jack Butland is available if the right offer is put on the table [Rangers Review, 14 July].
Derek Ferguson, an Ibrox News pundit, feels that despite his improvement after the break and his occasional displays of being a dynamic presence down the left flank, he needs to move on due to his lack of physicality.
Beşiktaş altyapısında yetişen Rıdvan Yılmaz, Galatasaray’ın teklifini kabul etme konusunda siyah-beyazlı taraftarların tepkileri nedeniyle kararsız.
Galatasaray yönetimi, oyuncuyu ikna etmeye çalışıyor. pic.twitter.com/1m0p4SKMxK
— Fotomaç (@fotomac) August 6, 2024
However, he is just one of many Rangers players who have shown themselves to be injury prone, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see the team cash in if the funds are available, even if it meant adding yet another needed signing to the roster.
But it’s unclear if a strong enough offer is expected at the club level given that the 23-year-old looked on the verge of leaving in January but no offer came close to meeting the asking price.
Mark Guidi: “Now is the right moment” for the “amazing” Rangers star to finish his Ibrox departure
Rangers captain James Tavernier has been informed by Mark Guidi that “the time is right” to depart Ibrox before the transfer deadline.
Throughout the summer transfer window, speculation has surrounded the Light Blues captain, with reports indicating Trabzonspor has expressed a desire to bring him to Turkey [Rangers Review, 23 July].
The 32-year-old has maintained that his attention is still solely on the task at hand in Glasgow this term, but according to Sunday Mail chief football writer Guidi, it would be best for both the club and him if he found a new club in the upcoming weeks.
He stated, “He needs a change, I don’t know if they thought to keep James Tavernier for the Champions League qualifiers and see if they get through,” on Monday, August 5, at 6:00 on The Go Radio Football Show.
However, I believe that if he leaves, Rangers and the player would both win. Although I believe James Tavernier has been an excellent servant and has much to offer, I don’t like to criticise him because I believe the time is right for him to move on.
“You look at that Rangers team, they don’t have enough winners or leaders. That is the essential point.
Amidst rumours of an Ibrox transfer, will James Tavernier leave the Rangers?
Rangers supporters have been split on Tavernier for a number of years, but it seems like more have come to terms with the fact that the Englishman’s prime is over this summer.
While his performance against Hearts at Tynecastle in the season’s opening match wasn’t awful, it also didn’t do anything to convince his detractors to change their minds and give the 32-year-old some credit.
He might not want to leave Glasgow, and there’s a case to be made that he still has what it takes to start every game on the right side of the back four, albeit with a diminished role, alongside Dujon Sterling.
James Tavernier has had a stellar Rangers career
Since Tavernier is one of the Rangers’ few truly marketable assets, Clement may be able to add one or two new players before the window closes at the end of August with his departure.
It feels like the Light Blues and their captain need a change before the month is out, although not everyone will agree.
After an almost fatal Ibrox transfer, Wonderkid poses with a Rangers shirt
Wonderkid Xavi Simons, following a near-miss Ibrox transfer, posed wearing a Rangers shirt.
The Dutch celebrity was pictured wearing a Rangers uniform when he visited The Breeze Bar Benimar.
Simons, a Paris Saint-Germain player, excelled for the Netherlands during the most recent Euro 2024 competition.
The 21-year-old is also expected to have enormous success in the future because he has grown into a true international and is an important member of the loan team RB Salzburg.
Three years ago, however, there were reports that suggested Simons’s circumstances might have been very different.
Rangers was one of the teams interested in the midfield player when Simons first left PSG to join PSV Eindhoven.
Then, according to reports, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst approached Simons about signing.
Although Simons was never given the chance to pose with the Rangers uniform, The Breeze Bar shared a photo of him wearing it: “When Xavi Simons pops in.”
The football sensation is surrounded in the photo by framed Rangers uniforms, and the Benimar pub in the background is filled with tonnes of Rangers memorabilia.
Oscar Cortes, a 20-year-old who was forced off against Hearts, is a winger, and Philippe Clement is waiting on an update on his injury.
The Colombian international, who was sidelined for a significant portion of the previous season due to a cruel knee injury, appeared upset as he trudged off at Tynecastle.
“I cannot say at this time,” Clement remarked. He suffered a serious knee injury in the first half after tumbling badly during a duel.
However, he claimed that he was OK for the second part, and the doctor tested him as well.
“With his first sprint, he felt too much pain so we had to take him off.”
Rangers chairman’s £11.5 million transfer claims looked at, and Philippe Clement backed up to the hilt
Rangers chairman John Bennett has hit back at claims that Ibrox hasn’t been getting enough money.
The manager of the under-fire Gers kept his promise to give a tough speech to fans this week, even though the club is in chaos before the season even started.
But because of the mess with the Copland Stand, the club’s CEO leaving, and the slow rebuilding process, John Bennett says the board has already backed Philippe Clement.
The Rangers manager knows that there is still a lot of work to be done on transfers. In the meantime, Bennett says that the shareholders at Ibrox have been putting up the money to make progress.
But where is the £11.5 million that the Rangers chairman gave to Philippe Clement?
Bennett: £11.5m has already been given to Clement
Bennett says that Rangers have already spent a huge £11.5 million on Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen in the first two transfer windows.
This is before any loan players come in.
Bennett made it clear that the Belgian has been backed, even though the rebuilding job is bigger than anyone thought. The numbers are pretty amazing and are likely to go up as the window goes on.
Rangers have lost a lot of once-important first-team players for nothing over the years because of bad squad management. The club’s options are also limited because it keeps overpaying for useless players.
“People talk a lot about the stages of buying and selling,” Bennett told RangersTV.
🎙️ Chairman John Bennett sat down with @RangersTV this week to provide an update on a number of topics including the Copland Stand works, playing at Hampden, club finances and the transfer window. pic.twitter.com/1G5voK0qnB
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 29, 2024
“If you look at the facts, not just in this window but also in windows before this one, how has Rangers worked?”
“And I want us to stop doing things the way we have been doing them, which is that the board has stood behind each window.”
“If I look at 2024 from January to now, excluding loans, we have debts and commitments worth over 10 million dollars.”
“With loans taken out, we’re about £11.5 million in transfer payables so far, and loans aren’t free.”
Who did the Rangers pay to sign?
Since Philippe Clement joined Rangers, the team has signed six players to stay.
The first player on that list is Mohamed Diomande. Rangers paid Danish club FC Nordsjælland about £4.3m (Sky Sports) to sign the Ivorian player permanently this summer.
After that, the club paid around £400,000 (Rangers Review) to get Brazilian left back Jefte from Fluminense.
Another player that Rangers bought for £1.7 million was Moroccan striker Hamza Igamane from FAR Rabat. However, the striker is not yet ready to make an impact in Glasgow.
How to figure out the rest of the fees is where things get tricky.
Reports don’t include the costs of agents and signing on fees for Clinton Nsiala (AC Milan) and Liam Kelly (Motherwell), even though they joined for free.
Rangers and Aberdeen are also going to court over Scotland U21 midfielder Connor Barron, and it’s still not clear how much will have to be paid for the player.
Let’s say, just for fun, that a fee of around £1m is likely to be seen as fair.
With those six new players, Rangers have spent about £7.4m so far this window.
It is closer to Bennett’s suggested fee, though, when you count the loan-to-buy deal for Oscar Cortes. Rangers will sign the Colombian winger permanently from RC Lens next summer.
Chris Jack and the Rangers Review say that Rangers has already agreed to pay around £4m to get the Colombian player at the end of the season.
We think that around £11.4m has already been pledged to Clement’s plan to rebuild Ibrox, and that number is likely to go up in the days and weeks to come.
“They’re failing,” Pundit blast the Rangers board, while Clement wants to give up and sign with another team
Derek Ferguson says that Philippe Clement’s transfer targets will wait no longer for Rangers to make sales so that they can afford to buy them.
The manager of the Light Blues told the public on July 13 that he had to sell in order to buy [Daily Record], but those sales are only now starting to go through after Sam Lammers joined FC Twente.
But Ferguson, a midfielder who used to play at Ibrox, has criticised the Gers board for hiring an ambitious manager but not letting him fix up his team.
Experts worry that Clement will not be able to get the senior players he wanted because the transfer window is almost over and players are already signing with other teams.
He only told Ibrox News, “The board needs to get their act together and stop talking trash.”
“They hired an ambitious manager, but you need to give him the tools to bring these guys in yourself.”
“They keep saying there’s no money, but some guys leaving will make some money available.”
“But we’re keeping an eye on all of these guys, and a little while from now, they’ll have other offers as well.”
“At some point, they need to take care of themselves.”
“I have to be honest with you—it’s a bit of a mess. But that mess is their fault, and they’re failing the Rangers support big time.”
The Rangers transfer window is a long one for Philippe Clement.
John Bennett and the Ibrox board could point to the money that was used to make Mohamed Diomande’s loan permanent and the money that was set aside to sign Oscar Cortes on a similar deal.
For the Connor Barron deal, Aberdeen also wants to get as much money as possible from the Light Blues.
But the point is still made that Clement is having to pick up the pieces after Michael Beale’s failure a year ago and is under more financial pressure than Beale was.
But with players like Lammers and Goldson leaving and James Tavernier being heavily linked with a move, the wage bill is now open, so the manager will be eager to bring in his own players after missing out on Jose Cordoba and Yusuf Kabadayi this summer.
“Getting Desperate”: Pundit responds as Rangers miss out on striker who wanted to move to Ibrox
Because Danilo is still a few weeks away from being fully fit, Derek Ferguson says Rangers need to sign a new striker right away.
The defender who used to play at Ibrox thinks that the Brazilian will need more time to fully recover from the injury that kept him out for most of last season and that Cyriel Dessers, who is currently the team’s best forward, needs more competition.
After being released by Sheffield United this summer, Oli McBurnie was free to sign with any team. He had publicly said that he wanted to play for the Light Blues [Stomping Ground Podcast, 5 April], but he made a surprise move to Las Palmas in La Liga instead.
Ferguson thinks that the Scotland international was a missed chance and that he “absolutely” would have been worth bringing in, even if the response wasn’t great.
He only talked to Ibrox News and said, “I think a lot of fans maybe turned their noses up a little at first.”
“But we need players through the door, and we need them badly.”
“That’s the stage. I think it will take Danilo another three or four weeks to catch up.”
“So Oli McBurnie, we all know he cheers for Rangers and has played for Scotland.”
The boy is a good player, and if we had the chance to go get him, or if we could have gotten him through the door, we would have.
“You need all the competition.” Does Dessers work? It’s not hard to see.
Oli McBurnie joined Las Palmas even though he wants to play for Rangers.
Kemar Roofe has been sold, Sam Lammers has been released, and Cyriel Dessers could still be sold. Danilo has been tipped to be a key player this season [Kris Boyd, 5 July], but he hasn’t played much football, so he probably won’t be able to get up to speed right away.
Philippe Clement had to wait for sales to happen before he could buy, and a move for Hearts star Lawrence Shankland is now back on the table [Rangers Review, July 24].
With six Premier League goals last season, McBurnie, who is 28 years old, seemed like he was free to take.
There might have been a need to save money on wages, but his own goals could have allowed him to wait if interest was made clear.
Theo Bair was liked by The Athletic on June 23 but has since gone to play for another team. Albion Rrahmani and Bojan Miovski also don’t seem to be in the running [Daily Record, July 15].
So there are growing worries that Rangers could be light up top again if they don’t get more help soon.
Doctor makes claim for first-team football while Rangers make offer to sign South American winger
Rangers are interested in Atletico Nacional winger Edier Ocampo, but Dr. Rajpal Brar says he won’t be able to play regular senior football for a few months.
The injury expert says that the Colombian hasn’t played football outside of his home country and is still pretty young, so the switch to regular first-team football will be slow so that he doesn’t get hurt.
The news came after Fishajes said on July 25 that Gers had made an offer to sign the 20-year-old winger.
Doctor of physical therapy and sports scientist Brar talked about his situation only with Ibrox News. He said:
“Ocampo has only played in Colombia and is still very young, so it would be unlikely to sign him for the first team, at least for the first season.”
“Rangers should gradually increase his strength and conditioning work to meet the needs of the game while easing him in slowly to make sure the transition goes smoothly.”
“You have to give yourself time to adapt, both mentally and physically.”
“I think it would be a few months before he could play regular senior football, and he would have to be built in slowly when he was ready.”
Edier Ocampo would be a good long-term choice for Rangers.
As a bright future prospect, Ocampo should be signed by Gers because he has shown a lot of promise.
He has already proven himself at age 20 by playing well as both a right back and a winger.
Adding him could give the team more depth and competition, especially if James Tavernier leaves.
James Tavernier has had a stellar Rangers career
Because Ocampo can help on both offence and defence, Philippe Clement, who wants to improve his team for the future, is interested in signing him.
Sam Lammers’ exit cash unlocks Lawrence Shankland to Rangers transfer move, as Hearts brace for bid
The Tynecastle captain is wanted by Ibrox boss Philippe Clement this summer.
Sam Lammers is on the verge of joining Twente Enschede for £2.7 million, potentially allowing Rangers to fund their bid for Lawrence Shankland.
On Tuesday, Record Sport reported that the Hearts skipper is back on the wanted list at Ibrox due to a shift in position from Philippe Clement. However, the Belgian manager will still need to raise around £3 million to persuade the Edinburgh club to sell the talismanic striker. Clement may soon receive a windfall as Dutch frontman Lammers prepares to return to his homeland.
The 27-year-old has been told he will not play a role in Clement’s summer rebuild, but he still has three years left on his lucrative contract after joining from Italian club Atalanta last summer. While Utrecht and NAC Breda matched the asking price, they failed to meet the player’s wage demands.
Twente, on the other hand, believes they have the funds to bring Lammers back to the Netherlands after setting aside a package worth around £1.3 million per year to sign Wout Weghorst from Burnley. However, it is understood that the Euro 2024 star ended discussions last week, with Twente’s focus shifting to Gers’ Lammers instead.
If a deal can be reached, Clement will look to spend the funds raised, with Shankland high on his list of targets despite the manager’s decision not to sign the Scotland striker in January. Clement is desperate to bring in reinforcements ahead of the Premiership opener against Shankland’s Jambos at Tynecastle next Saturday, and he may arrange a loan for Sevilla star Joan Jordan in the coming days.
According to reports, the La Liga club wants Rangers to agree to a season-long loan with an option to buy the midfielder for up to £4 million. This deal would also require the Light Blues to cover roughly 60% of the 30-year-old’s salary.
Jordan could be joined by Vaclav Cerny, who is expected to move on loan from Wolfsburg. Meanwhile, James Tavernier, Todd Cantwell, and Connor Goldson are looking into ways to leave.
Jack Butland: ‘Alarm bells’ ringing for Rangers following latest – sources
Rangers have slapped a “astronomical” price tag on Jack Butland amid financial concerns, according to Football Insider sources.
On the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior writer Pete O’Rourke stated that Philippe Clement’s £30 million value may discourage prospective teams.
The club plans to raise funds through player sales this summer, but by pricing Butland so expensive, they are unlikely to cash in on one of their most valuable assets.
While Clement’s club will retain a top player at Ibrox, it will do nothing to enhance the group for the future, raising worries among supporters.
Pressure is increasing on both the manager and the board to reduce the gap on Celtic, but budgetary constraints are becoming a stumbling block.
Jack Butland’s transfer announcement raises alarms at Rangers
Rangers need to sell players before they can buy this summer, and Clement just confirmed that every player is available for purchase at the appropriate price.
This statement, however, did not include Butland, with the club anxious to keep last season’s Player of the Year despite his high resale value.
Butland joined Ibrox for free last summer after leaving Crystal Palace and soon established himself as a key member of the squad.
Last season, he appeared 58 times in all competitions, helping Rangers win the Scottish League Cup despite losing the Scottish Cup and League.
He remains an important element of Clement’s strategy and will not be allowed to go, despite interest from English teams.
However, Rangers may face additional problems if they are unable to move some of their peripheral players to make room for new newcomers.
According to Football Insider, both Connor Goldson and James Tavernier have shown interest in leaving Ibrox, but financial concerns remain.
Fabrizio Romano reports Rangers-linked Scotland striker now has signed surprise transfer
During this window of transfers, Rangers are searching for more firepower.
After conceding several goals from the team’s ineffective forward line during the previous campaign, the Gers still appear short in the last third.
With Danilo, a Brazilian striker, having only recently returned from injury and Cyriel Dessers’ status still unknown, Rangers supporters are hoping for one more senior option to join the team this transfer window.
However, Fabrizio Romano claims that one possible option for the Scotland national team will not be to move to Ibrox after agreeing to an unexpected transfer to Spain.
McBurnie seals an unexpected agreement in Spain
Oliver McBurnie’s connections to the Rangers are always present.
Despite being born in Leeds, the 28-year-old Scotland international striker has a deep bond with the Ibrox club and isn’t afraid to flaunt his Rangers colours.
Although McGurnie acknowledged that he would be amenable to joining Rangers after departing Sheffield United in the summer, the lanky striker is more likely to move to sunny Spain.
At least, that’s what Fabrizio Romano says, stating that Oliver McBurnie has an agreement with Las Palmas, a La Liga team.
According to Romano, McBurnie, a free agent, will have a medical on Friday before moving permanently to Gran Canaria.
🟡🌴 Excl: Scottish striker Oli McBurnie, set to join Las Palmas as free agent after leaving Sheffield Utd as verbal agreement is done.
Medical booked on Friday. 🏴 pic.twitter.com/JIZFKAhLBC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 23, 2024
Hunt for a Rangers striker continues
Any notion that Oliver McBurnie could have filled Rangers’ striker void has been dispelled by the agreement to bring the hitman to Spain.
Although there hasn’t been a formal indication that Rangers intended to sign McBurnie this summer, the striker has frequently been linked to Ibrox throughout his career.
The contract McBurnie had with Sheffield United, where he had moved in a £20 million deal from Swansea in 2019, expired, so maybe there was a chance to make a deal this summer.
Now the focus will be on potential strikers that Rangers could be interested in signing.
Whilst McBurnie has found himself out of the Scotland picture as of late, another Scotland international forward in Lawrence Shankland has been linked to Rangers once again.
Another bluenose hitman who has made no bones about his Ibrox loyalties, the links have polarised supporters as Rangers look to strengthen the Ibrox forward line.
Rangers bid to sign £3m goal machine
According to the Daily Record, Philippe Clement is reportedly prepared to “push the button” on a Rangers trade for Hearts attacker Lawrence Shankland.
The Scotland international is once again on the Gers’ radar, according to a report from the newspaper in its online version on Monday, July 22, even though manager Clement decided not to pursue a deal back in January.
Shankland is nearing the end of his Tynecastle deal, but according to the Record, the Jambos may still demand “top dollar,” with Rangers possibly needing to come up with as much as £3 million to get the 28-year-old.
Before making a move for Shankland, the Light Blues would need to offload players in order to balance the books.
It makes sense for the Rangers to sign Lawrence Shankland.
With this one, it feels like Groundhog Day all over again because, during the January transfer window, the Rangers were constantly connected to a deal for Shankland.
Now, though, things are different because Rangers lost out to rivals Celtic for the Scottish Premiership, and you can’t help but wonder what would have happened if Shankland had stayed at Ibrox.
At 28, Shankland is in the prime of his career and was the leading scorer in the Scottish Premiership the previous season with 24 goals.
The saying goes, “Defence wins titles,” and while there is some truth to that, Rangers need to add some quality to their final third as goals win championships.
Should they be able to acquire Shankland for approximately £3 million, it might be a crucial investment in their pursuit of winning the championship. To be honest, it makes perfect sense.
Casemiro’s four-word reaction to Manchester United’s win over Rangers at Murrayfield
Rangers outcast Sam Lammers declined a move to NEC Nijmegen, according to The Scottish Sun.
The newspaper said on its website [21 July] that, despite manager Rogier Meijer’s interest in the Dutch striker this summer, Lammers has decided not to leave Ibrox for the Eredivisie club.
Lammers was expected to be one of the first players to go after his remarkable six-month loan spell with FC Utrecht, but he has decided to stay put for the time being.
Sam Lammers rejects an Ibrox escape as Rangers transfer discussions emerge.
After failing to strike the ground running at Ibrox, scoring only twice in 31 appearances, he elected to spend the second part of the season on loan in the Netherlands.
He scored 11 goals in 20 games, attracting interest from a number of clubs, including Nijmegen, who are certainly interested in signing him this summer.
According to the Daily Record, Utrecht are willing to match the Gers’ £2.7 million asking price for the 27-year-old, but his salary is a concern.
Lammers has a chance to stay in Scotland and compete for a spot in the team, despite continued doubts over Cyriel Dessers’ availability.
With Danilo out for much of last season, the Nigerian striker was Clement’s only viable option at Ibrox, and he continued to disappoint with his all-round performance.
Clement hoped that bringing Fabio Silva on loan from Wolves would relieve some of Dessers’ goalscoring strain, but despite scoring over 20 goals in his first season, fans remain sceptical.
It will be an intriguing tale to follow this summer to see if Lammers is looking for a better offer elsewhere or if he is willing to stay at Ibrox and battle for his club.
Fantastic’ attacker who wants to come to Scotland is being pursued by Rangers, and they are willing to pay more than £7 million for him
According to the Daily Record, Rangers have made a proposal of more than £7 million in an attempt to capture attacker Morgan Whittaker of Plymouth Argyle.
On July 19, the news outlet said that the Championship club had rejected Gers’ first offer for the 23-year-old right winger.
Although Ibrox has been considering the Englishman for some time, manager Wayne Rooney wants to keep him at the team and is aware that he wants to move to Scotland.
Rangers finally shown ambition after Philippe Clement’s concerns about the future surfaced.
The Gers’ offer for Whittaker shows a great deal of ambition and a readiness to make team investments.
This action takes place in the midst of uncertainty surrounding Philippe Clement’s future. The Belgian has already voiced worries about the club’s financial status and the money available for transfers, and Kris Boyd even expressed anxiety that he would depart.
Contrary to Clement’s previous remarks, the bid of over £7 million for the 23-year-old indicates that the club is willing to make financial investments in order to develop the team.
Whittaker has been a long-term objective for the Ibrox team and has previously been praised for his skills. He scored 19 goals and contributed eight assists for Plymouth Argyle in the Championship last season.
When he was at Swansea and scored a hat-trick against Plymouth, the manager Russell Martin commented, “I thought he was fantastic.” He has plenty at his disposal.
He is a long-term aim, and his acquisition to the team would give the offensive unit much-needed talent and depth.
The 23-year-old would surely be a regular starter due to his quickness and ability to consistently threaten goals.
Additionally, his signing would make it clear to the league’s other teams and spectators that the Geeks are serious about contending for championships.
‘Time for change’: David Edgar blasts Rangers board in new CEO’s admission
David Edgar has slammed the Rangers board after recent revelations, acknowledging that it is “time for change” at Ibrox.
The Gers board has faced criticism this summer for delays in Ibrox renovation as well as a lack of transfer movement in and out of Philippe Clement’s side during the transfer window.
The Light Blues have yet to name a new CEO after James Bisgrove’s surprising departure. Heart and Hand broadcaster Edgar says the current structure at Rangers “hasn’t worked”.
On Thursday (18 July), he wrote on X that a board of directors should not be involved in the day-to-day operations of any corporation. Appoint a CEO, then stand aside and allow them to run the show while keeping an eye on things.
“If they fail to hit the agreed-upon targets, fire them and move on. We’ve had a ‘too many cooks’ situation at Ibrox for far too long, and it’s not working. “It’s time for change.”
Are Rangers close to making any new additions during the summer transfer window?
Supporters have every reason to be frustrated with the Rangers board at this time, since those in authority have promised far more than they are capable of delivering.
This summer, Clement and his recruiting staff were intended to rebuild the playing squad, but just one player has been moved for a transfer fee, second-choice goalie Robby McCrorie.
Several players, including James Tavernier, Todd Cantwell, Sam Lammers, and Cyriel Dessers, have been associated with leaving Glasgow, but have yet to make a move.
A board at a business – any business – shouldn’t be involved in day-to-day running of it. Appoint a CEO, stand back and let them run it and keep overview of it.
If they don’t hit agreed targets, fire them and move on.
We’ve had a ‘too many cooks’ situation at Ibrox for too long…
— Heart & Hand Podcast (@ibroxrocks) July 18, 2024
Furthermore, the lack of communication from the club’s top management on the delays at Ibrox and then the interim relocation to Hampden Park has been amateurish at best.
Rangers need to step up their game if they truly want to close the gap on the pitch with Celtic, since their recent acts have been amateurish.
Ibrox View: Koppen has to sign striker linked to Rangers ASAP following goal v Tottenham
Following the outstanding performance of the forward in a pre-season game against Tottenham, Rangers’ director of football recruitment Nils Koppen has a wonderful opportunity to bring Lawrence Shankland to Ibrox and should act fast.
Shankland proved his mettle on Wednesday, July 17, in the friendly against Spurs by scoring for Hearts in a game Tynecastle lost 5-1.
Following a defensive error by Tottenham’s team, Shankland got the ball in the box before turning swiftly and coolly placing it into the bottom corner of the net.
The Gers need this kind of goalscoring capacity exactly to challenge Celtic for the championship next season.
Rangers attached to Lawrence Shankland
Rangers are eager to return after Shankland once more [GIVEMESPORT, 17 May] with Philippe Clement scheduled to bolster the squad to Premiership success.
Losing to Celtic, who just won their third consecutive championship, has motivated everyone at the Gers to keep becoming better.
With thirty goals and eight assists, Shankland has had an incredible season.
Clement might be short in forwards with Kemar Roofe’s contract ending and Fabio Silva returning to Wolves, so Shankland becomes even more crucial.
Goal: Lawrence Shankland | Hearts 1-1 Tottenhampic.twitter.com/okGhY5jiXN
— PushGoals (@PushGoals) July 17, 2024
Although Shankland only has one year left on his contract, GiveMeSport’s report indicates Hearts value him at £5 million, which would seem a lot. Nevertheless, his goalscoring might be very important for Rangers.
Rangers should try once more even though they struggled to sign him earlier. Shankland’s abilities might be the secret to surpassing Celtic and claiming the championship.
Koppen should hence act right now. Shankland’s latest performance against Tottenham demonstrates his capability. Rangers should sign him at this ideal moment and bring his skill to Ibrox.
After the winger deal, Koppen may have more opportunities thanks to the Gers’ unique transfer “relationship”
There has been a refreshingly new attitude to the Rangers transfer market, with names from all over the world being mooted as potential targets.
Philippe Clement has also discussed Nils Koppen’s new hiring strategy, and the management is expecting to sign more players like Mohamed Diomande.
Oscar Cortes, a 20-year-old Colombian who made an impression during his early appearances before an injury terminated his season with the Rangers, is one “new” addition who will be a welcome sight once he is completely up to speed.
Oscar Cortes’ move to the Rangers may only be the beginning.
Cortes was a star of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup just last summer, and he has now been confirmed as a permanent deal, albeit with a one-year loan first.
Given that Koppen now frequently attends the TransferRoom briefings, it has been explained how the Rangers were able to sign such a gifted young player.
Agents and club representatives gather at these events to talk about potential players and possible deal structures.
Tomas Sarmiento, an agent for Cortes, gave TransferRoom an explanation of why the platform is so crucial for hiring managers.
Many individuals, I would say, are hesitant to bring Latin American players to the European market because they haven’t been proven at what you would consider to be the upper echelons of the game.
Through these portals, we are able to speak with those in positions of authority and discuss in greater depth any uncertainties they may have and how best to address them.
“TransferRoom gave us the ability to set up meetings, exchanges, and all of this.
Oscar Cortes will stay with the Rangers after a good agreement was reached. It’s a club that has done a great deal to help him grow and adjust to life in Europe.
“I believe he’s headed in the right direction, and hopefully, with all the support TransferRoom offered, we can build on this relationship and open up new markets.”
How @RangersFC signed Óscar Cortés ✍️
🤝 Agent-club connection made at a #TransferRoomSummit
🏴 Scottish side the right fit for South American talentsThe Colombian winger’s agency, Top Athlete Management, explains how the January loan, made again this summer, was possible.… pic.twitter.com/K2hHlnSzUZ
— TransferRoom (@transferroom) July 15, 2024
The Rangers’ partnership with the Cortes agency may be beneficial.
It can only be advantageous to have a positive working connection with a company such as Top Athlete Management.
A player trade model that works must capture players before they make their “big” move.
For Rangers, South America is a mostly unexplored market that may also be inexpensive if players are acquired at the appropriate time.
Oscar Cortes has only showed hints of his potential thus far, so supporters will be eager to see what he can do now that he has completed the preseason and is healthy. At £4 million, he will be expected to deliver.
When TransferRoom hosts another event in a few weeks, hopefully Koppen will find someone similar for the other wing.
Based on latest Rangers’ update, Copa America standout gets nearer to summer transfer
Among the players connected to Rangers from Latin America recently is Thomas Galdames.
Following the breakdown of the Jose Cordoba deal, 25-year-old Chileno defender from Ibrox was highlighted as a transfer target for initially unidentified Belgian teams.
In recent seasons, there has been an effort to develop the athletic 6ft Chilean into an aggressive left-back alternative; he is a natural center-back.
As Thomas Galdames gets ready to depart Godoy Cruz, there is a lot of gossip about him.
Following Chile’s exit from the Copa America, Galdames is prepared to make his next decision after the conversation about the player’s future stopped by the tournament.
Now a Belgian newspaper has been offering an update on Ranger’s interest in the defender and what is most likely to happen next.
Galdames closing in on a move.
Back in June, it was reported that Royal Antwerp, a Belgian team, is closely monitoring Thomas Galdames this summer.
According to the research, Rangers and the Pro League team were scheduled to fight for the defender’s signature in this transfer season.
Voetbal Nieuws have been offering a fresh report on the linkages, and shockingly, it seems that Royal Antwerp, not Rangers, is the destination, which is edging closer.
After negotiating a contract for Argentine left-sided Independiente defender Ayrton Costa, Antwerp is now said to be closing in on a double South American swoop.
With the Great Old looking to improve the left-back area of their team ahead of the new season, the circumstances involving Chilean center-back Thomas Galdames is a little more complicated.
Rangers’ interest in Galdames allegedly “cooled” with Antwerp in pole position to seize “advantage” from the circumstances.
Voetbal Nieuws estimates a deal to bring Galdames to Belgium is currently very much in the “pipeline,” even with Rangers perhaps absent from the scene.
Summer of left-back instability for Rangers
Although Thomas Galdames has a good profile, Rangers already want to have moved elsewhere.
After Borna Barisic left for Trabzonspor, the club brought Brazilian left-back Jefte to their ranks this summer.
Turkish variantRidvan Yilmaz is also expected to remain at Rangers next season despite connections to recently promoted Bundesliga team St Pauli.
Along with the defender enticed to move from AC Milan with the lure of first-team play, Rangers have included gifted left-sided centre-back Clinton Nsiala, 20, to their roster.
Another choice in the post and on a reasonable salary is Ben Davies, who has clearly been advised to leave the club.
Rangers are therefore at least well-stocked on the left-side of defence, and Thomas Galdames would have fierce competition to break through into the lineup.
Simultaneously, perhaps the club would rue a missed opportunity to acquire the Chilean if the defender moves to Antwerp and Rangers experiences more turbulence in this area of the team.
Rangers are in the middle of a power struggle, as Hotline punters can tell. Bennett and Clement have different ideas about one thing
Anthony Evans took your calls while some Hotline bettors were happy about England’s painful loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Even though Scotland’s Euro 2024 bid didn’t go as planned, a lot of people in the country were in the mood to party on Sunday night after seeing England lose again on the big stage.
Spain beat England 2-1, which was a fair result. Mikel Oyarzabal scored the game-winning goal four minutes from time, after Cole Palmer had cancelled out Nico Williams’ opening goal. It was England’s second straight loss in a European Championship final under Gareth Southgate, and people on the hotline wanted to pick on the unhappy team.
Someone from Rothesay named Jim McClean said, “It’s coming home. Sorry, England is coming home.” They got what they earned for how they played defence, thank God, Sir Gareth Southgate.Someone in London named Alfie Mullin agreed and said, “Well done, Spain.” “Hopefully that will shut up the cocky England fans until at least the next tournament,” said Wullie Graham from Bristol. “England’s cocky arrogance comes back to bite them once more,” he added. They still have tears on their faces from sadness, but Messrs. Lineker and Shearer are telling us they will win the next World Cup.
“Their problem is that they have good players but not a good team.” Spain deserved to win because they were so fun to watch the whole time. It would have been over before halftime for Spain if Pedri and Gavi had been available.
But some people who called the Hotline were surprised by how happy Scotland was about what happened in Berlin. In Newtonhill, Gary Stevenson said, “To all the Scots who tried to ruin the Euros Final, how embarrassing! Some of you even refused to watch it.” What do you think? Will they keep that ban in place and not watch the English Premiership? People thought Scotland was the worst team in the competition, which was an embarrassment. Be polite and don’t make them feel even worse by being rude.
The people of Scotland have kids who wear Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United, and Manchester City shirts. I don’t get why the so-called Scotland fans hate everything English. They can’t wait for the next Super Sunday to watch the English Premier League. I could be wrong, and thousands of Scots will cancel their contracts. England and then going home to watch them every week! That’s so embarrassing.”
On Sunday, however, Scotland had a real reason to celebrate: Bob MacIntyre, a golfer from Oban, beat Adam Scott to win the Scottish Open with a stunning showing in North Berwick. For some Hotline callers, this was the perfect end to a dream weekend.
While William Hutchison in Aberdeen said, “Seems England have a different view of ‘IT’S COMING HOME’….WELL DONE TO SCOTS (YUP SCOTS) Bob MacIntyre for lifting the golf tournament trophy at TROON…” Scott Gowers in Edinburgh said, “Congratulations to Spain (Euro’s) and Robert McIntyre (Scottish Open) for their well-deserved wins over the weekend.”
People were also talking about the ongoing mess at Rangers over the availability of Ibrox. One fan demanded that the club be put up for sale right away.Stephen Johnstone of Ardentinny said, “The mess at Ibrox Stadium: players’ contracts are being looked at, the board is split up, and the manager is going on and on.” Now that this government is in charge, is it time to sell the whole club before the bailiffs show up? It was thrown to the ground. Sir John Lawrence would be very angry.
Northampton’s Michael Emonds has also doubts about Philippe Clement’s claim that every player will be sold for the right price as Gers manager. “Could there be a power struggle at Ibrox?” he asked. Big Phil says that every player has a price, and he thinks that custodian Jack Butland is worth £30 million.
“I wonder what chairman John Bennett would do if, say, a £10 million offer came in for Butland. Could we see the chairman going against the group?” I believe Big Phil’s comments about the goalie and the broken vows he made in his job interview about having money to buy players are the first steps of him “working his ticket.”
But Fraserburgh’s Andrew Lamb then pushed back against the bad press about the Belgian boss. He said, “I’m disappointed by all the bad news about Rangers, but it’s all coming from spoiled brats who are so negative.” We won’t be able to judge Clement until after at least a full season.
Rangers to accepts £2m offer – Ibrox Sources
Sam Lammers “doesn’t figure” in the upcoming season’s plans for the Rangers.
Pete O’Rourke, a senior writer for Football Insider, expressed this opinion regarding Lammers’ future at Ibrox Stadium in an interview with the podcast Inside Track.
The 27-year-old was cut by Philippe Clement during the preseason and was sent to the Rangers B club this summer.
It’s an indication of the manager of the Gers’ perspective on the forward, leaving him uncertain about his future in the game.
Although a permanent agreement between the two clubs could not be reached, Lammers spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Utrecht.
The Scottish team is now hoping to make money off of the Dutch forward this summer as Clement has decided not to keep him in the lineup going forward.
Rangers will likely incur losses due to Sam Lammers.
Rangers paid £3.5 million to acquire Lammers from Atalanta at first, but sources claim they won’t recoup their investment.
Rather, the Gers will cut Lammers loose from the books this summer for a cost of £2 million.
The attacker demonstrated his abilities last season while playing for Utrecht, tallying 10 goals and dishing out three assists.
After those Eredivisie performances, sources say Holland would be interested in him, but the player’s future is still unknown.
But with everything going on at Ibrox Stadium, these are equally unsettling times for Rangers as a team.
According to Football Insider, the Gers will now open the season at Hampden Park because their home pitch is still under construction after delays in shipments.
Chris Jack provides an update on Diomande’s injury, following Rangers’ preseason matchup with Standard Liege
Chris Jack reports that Mohamed Diomande, a midfielder for Rangers, is “fine” and has resumed training despite initial concerns that he may have injured himself.
On Wednesday, July 10, the 22-year-old played the first half of the Light Blues’ preseason match against Standard Liege. After going down, he received some treatment, which raised some eyebrows.
Jack, a journalist for Rangers Review, is adamant that the midfield player is injury-free and that he was able to go through the rehabilitation process and do interviews without any more problems.
On July 11, at 19:30, he made the following statement on The Rangers Review YouTube channel: “The only injury doubt or concern, I spoke to Joshua about yesterday, was Mohamed Diomande.”
“I brought up the fact that he left the game and was able to walk back to the dressing room after receiving some treatment late in the first half.
He appeared fine when he chatted with a few members of the press earlier for an interview that would be released during the upcoming games. Thankfully, there aren’t any major worries there as he trained and completed the recovery session earlier.
Do Rangers have any plans to make any additions during the summer transfer window?
The fact that one of their more recent arrivals won’t be missing a significant portion of preseason due to injury is at least encouraging news, even though supporters will be unhappy by the dearth of transfer activity surrounding Ibrox at this time.
Diomande made an impression on both fans and analysts during the previous season after moving to Glasgow in January, and now that he has decided to make Scotland his permanent home, there will be expectations that he can continue to improve and achieve new heights.
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The 23-year-old will need to play a lot of football over the coming months because only Connor Barron has arrived as a replacement in midfield after the departures of Ryan Jack and John Lundstram were confirmed earlier this summer.
With any luck, he can avoid injuries and build on his strong start to the previous campaign to truly take off under Philippe Clement.
Still, he and the supporters will be hoping the Gers add one or two more players to help him.
Kieran Dowell lets out his fury with the Rangers as the midfielder gives a brutally honest assessment of his first Ibrox season
After moving to Govan last summer, Dowell had an injury-plagued campaign and found it difficult to give the Ibrox supporters his all.
The first to acknowledge that the Ibrox supporters didn’t see their greatest side last season was Kieran Dowell. primarily because they hardly ever saw him.
The former playmaker for Norwich was supposed to play a major role in Michael Beale’s plan for a Rangers comeback last summer. Instead, a string of ailments derailed his Glasgow debut campaign, and he barely made it onto the supporting cast in Govan. Throughout a season tinged with frustration, he managed just six starts and ten substitute appearances overall.
There were times when it appeared he was going to make the kind of impact Beale had in mind when he brought the former Carrow Road apprentice north. A goal on Christmas Eve against Motherwell turned out to be the ideal present as new manager Philippe Clement battled a horrific injury list.
He helped the Gers come back from a two-goal deficit in April’s 3-3 Old Firm draw at Ibrox, and his performance off the bench was critical in turning that derby thriller around. However, all of those events turned out to be brief high points in a season that culminated in Celtic defeating Celtic in both the league and the Scottish Cup.
Now, as the Rangers prepare for the upcoming season, Dowell hopes to leave a more profound imprint on the fan base. After Standard Liege’s preseason bounce game, he stated, “I’d like to think there is more to come from me.”
“Last season, I didn’t start many games. It was, I believe, four or five games. Additionally, not many people appeared. They haven’t seen my finest side. In actuality, they haven’t seen much of me.
“Perhaps they succeed in the upcoming season. It was just so frustrating, my first year. Really annoying. Being a central midfielder, a position I hadn’t really played before, I was obviously learning a new one. That was because of things like availability, but it was really annoying that injuries occurred in between.
However, I feel better now. I feel rejuvenated, having rested well over the summer, and I’m in peak physical condition right now. I recall beating Motherwell, things were going great, and then I took another hit. That’s football for you, though, is how it happened.
You may pout all you want about it, but it happened, and now that it’s over, I feel strong once more. What can I rely on during those times? Everybody in the club. These guys are excellent at keeping you in your place. They will either put you down if you’re getting ahead of yourself or encourage you to keep going if you’re not. That set of guys is excellent for that. Of course, my friends and family also provided a lot of assistance.
After that thrilling match, Dowell left the ground with Celtic thinking he had saved the Green Bay Packers from a jail sentence. His club had trailed the team led by Brendan Rodgers by two goals on both occasions before rallying behind goals from Abdullah Sima and a Rabbi Matondo scream.
The next week, he was rewarded for his efforts with an unusual start at Ross County. However, the Dingwall loss had far-reaching effects beyond Rangers’ hopes of winning the league.
(Image: PA)
“It was clearly a difficult day for every player on the pitch,” he remarked. Although I started the game, I don’t believe anyone else played particularly well that day. That causes you to suffer in the end, but that’s the nature of football. The only thing left to do after being kicked off the team is to continue training and working hard.
The depressing atmosphere that pervaded Ibrox at the close of the previous season has hardly subsided, and new controversy has arisen after it was revealed Clement’s team may need to leave Ibrox for several weeks due to a building error on the Copland Road.
All of that has increased the pressure on the Light Blues as they attempt to strike a balance between their two very important goals—qualifying for the Champions League and getting a head start in the Premiership. Even though Dowell has only been in Glasgow for a year, it’s enough time to realise that if either of those goals is compromised, there will be a massive meltdown. However, he has also learnt from the previous season how crucial it is to avoid exaggerating a small setback.
The most important lesson, he continued, is to understand that we are never truly done. Everyone believes it’s finished after our disappointing start to the season and the departure of the manager who signed me. It appears to be finished when you see the Press, but it wasn’t.
By season’s end, it was back in our possession. As a result, you never know when to give up. Should we aim for a quicker start this season?
“Ideally no, but even in that case, you’re still in it. In my first season, I guess I thought we were done, but we weren’t. Of course you want to get off to a quick start, but the season is lengthy.
Dowell checked in last summer as one of nine new additions. Clement is making sure he assists the summer recruits in settling in. He has added five this time so far, but more are planned.
“I always try to welcome the new lads,” he remarked. It’s a fantastic organisation for that kind of activity, I believe. Many boys have recently joined, and it’s encouraging to see everyone putting in a lot of effort on the pitch.
“After taking a quick break and cleaning up, the guys are back on track and ready to go after it. For this club, every season is undoubtedly crucial, but maybe we can succeed.
Even though Clement wasn’t the one who signed him, Dowell is content with the tight relationship he has with his Belgian manager right now. Regarding the positive indicators he observes in his relationship with Clement, he remarked, “I believe it is the quantity of times he uses me.
“He is an excellent trainer who provides you with a lot of assistance. I’ve learned a lot from him about assuming new positions as a centre midfielder. I’m glad he’s already added a couple strings to my bow. He pushes you to try new things and wants you to play. He’s an effective manager.
£3.5 million release clause surfaces as Rangers in advanced negotiations for a new acquisition claims
To surpass Fenerbahce to his signature, Rangers will have to pay Adama Traore’s £3.5 million release clause, according to AfricaFoot.
Writing on their website (7 July), the news source notes that the Mali winger has been in “advanced talks” [AfricaFoot, 26 May], but now Jose Mourinho’s team presents fierce competition.
According to reports, the 29-year-old has a release clause in his contract and Ferencvaros are ready to sell to the best bidder, so Philippe Clement might have to approve paying the whole price.
Rangers still need attacking choices at Ibrox until 2024/25.
With six players now confirmed as fresh team members, Clement and Rangers have been somewhat busy in the summer window.
Although Jefte, Clinton Nsiala, Connor Barron, Liam Kelly, Hamza Igamane, Oscar Cortes have already put pen to paper, the squad is nowhere near as strong as it should be when the season opens next month.
Attack is an area that particularly requires additions with the future of Cyriel Dessers up in the air [Chris Jack, 3 July], Sam Lammers most likely to leave and significant questions regarding Todd Cantwell [The Sun, 20 June], Scott Wright and Tom Lawrence also.
Philippe Clement is likely to be frustrated at Rangers
Traore would bring experience to the team and having won medals in the past, it may well be the kind of signing required to support a youthful squad along in a race.
However, Rangers will have to act fast or miss another target this summer since Mourinho is now definitely in the battle for his signature.
Clement’s must-have goals, the latest on transfers, and his choices for strikers – Chris Jack Talks About It
Rangers are one week closer to being able to play again now that another week of summer is over.Philippe Clement’s team will spend the next few days at a training camp in Holland as they ramp up their preparations for the new season. Soon, they will have a lot of games to play, so they need to be ready to go right away.
Recently, the deal for Hamza Igamane has been the main topic of conversation. There has also been a lot of talk about a move for Kenny McLean. Off the field, fans are still waiting to find out where Clement’s team will play their home games in August.
Ibrox is always busy, even when the week isn’t very busy. Chris Jack takes some questions from readers of Rangers Review here.
Are we planning to put money into younger players and use loans to help them gain experience?
When the manager recently spoke to RangersTV, he talked about the need for experienced players, which is a sign of things to come during the next part of the window. The deals that brought in Jefte, Clinton Nsiala, and Oscar Cortes were made with the long term in mind, but they need to perform this season. Don’t forget that Clement is building up both a team and a group.
The loan market is something that Rangers could use, but those moves are more likely to be the finishing touches than the building blocks. According to the example given, signing McLean would not cost a lot of money but would give the team the experience it needs.
Rangers have a lot going on right now. There will be a mix of short-term and long-term deals, with younger players with promise and older players with experience. This mix is important for Clement because any move he makes will have sports and money effects.
How many players do we need to sign if Dessers leaves?
I think it will be one in and one out. From this week’s Rangers Review, we learned that teams in Saudi Arabia, France, and Spain, along with PAOK, were all interested in Dessers. Fans have different feelings about the striker, but most wouldn’t mind if the £4.5 million fee and his salary were used to buy another forward.
Clement will be careful with Danilo because he just got back to the team after hurting his knee. We don’t know enough about Igamane yet to say whether he will be a big hit right away or whether it will take him some time to get used to Ibrox.
That does give Clement a problem to solve because August is going to be very busy and important. Rangers must get a centre forward with a lot of experience. Since Clement only uses one player in the middle, it would be strange for him to add a fourth choice for that spot. In the last third, it will be up to other people to participate.
Do you believe Danilo has been missed as a No. 10 or second striker?
People were pretty excited when Danilo was signed last summer, and a lot of that energy was fair since a Brazilian forward had just been bought for £6 million. Fans are still interested in Danilo a year later, but this time for a different reason.
As was already said, it would be unfair to expect too much from him too soon. Also, any player who has surgery to repair a cruciate knee ligament and then has to go through the necessary therapy needs to get back in shape. Still, Clement needs Danilo to help out and score some goals this season.
Rangers will put money into the key spot, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if players like Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence left. Danilo was signed as a No. 9, which is what he will do most of the time. Clement shouldn’t move him a little lower; instead, he should make him stronger at No. 10 and then, hopefully, decide who leads the line.
Could they still be sold, even if they are in training camp next week?
There are times when it’s easier to just let people go. During the window, a lot of names have been thrown around as possible exits, but nothing is certain until there is money and contracts on the table. Things do need to move a little faster, though.
Rangers can’t play with a big team. In terms of football or money, it doesn’t make sense, and Clement won’t want players who aren’t in his plans to stay in the locker room for too long.
Supporters shouldn’t worry too much about who is going to Holland yet because the window is still pretty open. Things can happen very quickly, and players and managers can make things happen when they recognise what is going on. Going on the plane doesn’t mean you’ll be in the group when the window ends.
Are we going to get a right center-back?
This part of the team still has a lot of work to do. According to the Rangers Review, the deal for Jose Cordoba fell through a few weeks ago. Nsiala is the only centre back that has been signed so far. Since there are a lot of people in that spot, that might not be a surprise.
It was easy to deal with Leon Balogun, and he meets a lot of criteria, but he is not a normal starter. If the right deal comes in, the club will sell Connor Goldson. Ben Davies and Leon King also look like they are not needed by the team. At least one person has to come in if three leave.
John Souttar didn’t have a great season, but he did well overall and will try to win that spot in the position where he is most comfortable. Many people were wondering why he was so reliable when it came to selection last season. However, he is not promised a jersey because a right-sided recruit is expected to arrive.
What do you think makes a player experienced? Someone between the ages of 24 and 26 who has played a few seasons or someone over 30? Or maybe someone who has played X number of first-team games at a good level since they made their start when they were young?
As the time has gone on at Ibrox, the experience factor has become more important. It makes sense when you look at the backgrounds of some of the candidates. Cortes has only played a few games in a blue shirt and Nsiala hasn’t played a first team game. Jefte has also not played at this level before. Igamane is an unknown quantity and can’t be judged on paper, as was said above.
In general, I don’t think people should care too much about how old a recruit is. A player can get the skills and information he needs in just a few seasons if he works with good professionals and at a high level.
As long as most of your games don’t come off the bench at the last minute, you should know your way around by the time you’ve played, say, 100 games. In the end, each case must be looked at separately.
What do you think is a reasonable goal for the coming season, given how many changes are being made to the team and how little money we have for what is basically a complete rebuild? Do you think Clement will get the same amount of time as Gerrard for it?
Rangers will not give up on winning the Premiership title. It will always be that way. People think that a season is a failure if the trophies are not at Ibrox at the end of it. Even if the Scottish Cup had been won last year, Clement would have been criticised for not being able to lead his team to victory in the top flight.
Things are very different now than they were when Gerrard took over. It would be crazy to keep Clement in charge for a third try at the title if the Rangers fail this time. That might not be fair, given what he walked into. That’s just how things are at Ibrox, though.
Rangers need to stop hiring and firing managers and putting together new teams that don’t do well. The dugout and dressing room need to be stable for the club. That doesn’t mean you should stick with a plan that isn’t working, and this term Clement and these players have a lot to show. No one else will know that better than him.
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