Sport Republic’s bold Adam Armstrong call at Southampton could yet prove inspired

Parting ways with your leading scorer on Deadline Day and bringing in a striker who had managed just one goal all season looked like a major risk. Yet, two weeks after the transfer window closed, Southampton have little reason to regret the decision.

Adam Armstrong, widely regarded as one of the Championship’s most consistent forwards over the past five years, had delivered 15 goal contributions in 29 matches during the first half of the campaign at St Mary’s. While he was not quite matching the remarkable 21-goal, 13-assist return from Southampton’s previous Championship season, his 11 goals still placed him among the division’s top marksmen. Many believed that if the Saints were to mount a serious play-off challenge, Armstrong would be central to that push.

However, Southampton chose to cash in, accepting an offer that could reach £9 million from Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers. With Wolves sitting at the bottom of the top flight and widely expected to drop back into the Championship, the move left supporters scratching their heads. Selling a proven second-tier scorer to a team likely to become a rival next season seemed, at face value, a questionable strategy.

Cyle Larin already silencing the doubters

The eyebrows were raised even further when Cyle Larin was unveiled as Armstrong’s replacement. The Canadian forward, who will turn 31 before the campaign concludes, arrived after an underwhelming stint at Feyenoord, where he scored just once in 15 appearances and struggled for regular minutes. On paper, swapping a striker with 91 Championship goals for someone yet to experience English football felt like a significant gamble.

But early indications suggest Southampton may have judged the situation astutely.

Although Armstrong’s scoring had slowed prior to his departure — he had not found the net since December 9 — many expected him to rediscover form and lead a late surge toward the top six. As a result, some critics labelled the sale a needless move that effectively weakened Southampton’s play-off aspirations.

Instead of recruiting a young, up-and-coming talent to immediately replace Armstrong’s output, Southampton opted for experience. Larin joined on loan from Mallorca, with an option to buy, despite never having played in England before and being two years older than Wolves’ new signing.

That decision is already looking less controversial. Larin made an instant impression by scoring the decisive goal off the bench against Watford on his league debut. He followed that up with another goal on his FA Cup debut — and first start for the Saints — finding the net in extra time during a victory over Leicester City.

It may amount to only around 120 minutes of football, but first impressions have been emphatic. With two crucial goals in three appearances, Larin has quickly begun to win over the St Mary’s faithful. The sizeable void left by Armstrong has not gone unnoticed, yet the Canadian striker has made a promising start in filling it.

Momentum building in Southampton’s play-off bid

The race for sixth place in the Championship appears set to be tightly contested once again. With 14 fixtures remaining, Southampton find themselves well positioned and carrying significant momentum.

Four consecutive victories in all competitions, combined with the lift provided by reaching the FA Cup fifth round, have injected belief into the squad. Tonda Eckert’s side sit just two points behind Derby County in sixth place and look increasingly capable of sustaining a serious challenge for a play-off spot.

Of course, plenty can change before the campaign concludes. Consistency will be vital, and Southampton supporters will hope Larin continues to make decisive contributions — whether as a starter or as an impact substitute, roles in which he has already proven effective.

When Southampton secured promotion through the play-offs in the 2023/24 season, Armstrong was the talisman. He delivered throughout the regular campaign and scored three times in the play-offs themselves, cementing his status as the hero of that success.

Following his Deadline Day departure, a new figurehead is required. At this early stage, Larin appears ready to embrace that responsibility. What initially looked like a high-stakes gamble by Sport Republic may yet be remembered as a calculated move that reshaped Southampton’s promotion hopes at exactly the right moment.

A 33-year-old has reached an agreement to move from Rangers to Southampton.

A 33-year-old coach is set to swap Glasgow for England’s south coast after agreeing a move from Rangers F.C. to Southampton F.C., according to reports.

Liam Ross, who has been working with Rangers’ Under-19 side, is leaving Ibrox to take up a new position within Southampton’s academy structure. The news was first reported by The Rangers Review, which states that the deal has been finalised, with only an official announcement remaining.

Ross’s departure marks the end of a relatively brief spell with the Glasgow club. He joined Rangers’ youth setup after Steven Smith became part of Danny Rohl’s coaching staff, and since then has played an important role in the development of the club’s U19 players. Despite his short tenure, Ross built a reputation as a diligent and progressive coach, contributing to the pathway designed to prepare young talents for senior football.

Still only 33, Ross has already accumulated a wide range of experience across different roles in the game. His coaching journey began at Dundee United F.C., where he took on several responsibilities, including assistant manager at Under-21 level, performance manager, and match analyst. These varied positions allowed him to gain insight into both the tactical and analytical sides of football, equipping him with a broad skill set that has clearly enhanced his coaching profile.

In addition to his time at Dundee United, Ross also spent a period working with Swansea City A.F.C.. That experience further diversified his background and exposed him to different footballing philosophies and academy environments. Such exposure is likely to have strengthened his credentials and made him an attractive candidate for a club like Southampton, known for placing significant emphasis on youth development.

At Rangers, Ross was part of a structure aimed at nurturing the next generation of talent. The club has long prided itself on developing young players capable of stepping into the first team, and Ross contributed to that objective through his work with the Under-19 squad. However, his stay in Glasgow has proved to be a short one, as the opportunity to join a Championship side with a celebrated academy record was one he ultimately chose to accept.

The report indicates that Rangers are preparing to confirm his exit formally and will soon provide clarity on who will replace him. In the meantime, Malky Thomson is expected to oversee the Under-19s, with preparations already under way to ensure continuity within the youth ranks.

For Ross, the move represents a significant step in his career. It will be his first coaching role in England, and joining Southampton offers the chance to be part of one of the country’s most respected academy systems. Southampton’s commitment to youth development is well established, and their academy has consistently produced players who have gone on to enjoy success at the highest level of the game.

The south coast club has built a reputation over decades for identifying, nurturing, and promoting young talent. Perhaps the most famous graduate of their academy is Gareth Bale, who developed at Southampton before earning a high-profile move to Tottenham Hotspur and later securing a then-record transfer to Real Madrid. During his time in Spain, Bale won five UEFA Champions League titles and became one of the most recognisable figures in world football.

Another iconic name to emerge from Southampton’s system is Alan Shearer, widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in English football history and the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer. His prolific career serves as a testament to the strong developmental foundations laid during his formative years.

Supporters also fondly remember Matt Le Tissier, often described as one of the club’s finest-ever players. Renowned for his technical brilliance and loyalty to Southampton, Le Tissier became a symbol of the club during his playing days.

In more recent decades, Southampton’s academy has continued to thrive. Players such as Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Luke Shaw have all progressed through the youth ranks before securing major moves and representing England at international level. Kevin Phillips is another notable product of the club’s system, enjoying a distinguished professional career that included winning the European Golden Shoe.

Given this impressive history, it is easy to see why Ross would view the move as an exciting opportunity. Working within an academy that has consistently delivered top-level talent offers both prestige and the chance to contribute to a proven development pathway. Southampton’s philosophy has long centred on giving young players a platform to grow, and Ross will now have the opportunity to help shape the next generation of prospects.

For Rangers, Ross’s departure is undoubtedly a loss, but it also reflects the regard in which their coaching staff are held. Producing coaches capable of stepping into roles at ambitious English clubs highlights the strength of their own developmental framework behind the scenes.

Ultimately, Ross’s decision signals a new chapter in his coaching career. Having already gathered experience across Scotland and Wales, he now takes his first step into English football with a club synonymous with academy excellence. If Southampton’s track record is any indication, he will be joining an environment rich in opportunity and expectation, where the focus on youth remains central to the club’s identity.