Rangers transfer window looks set to kick in rapidly over the next few weeks with the now confirmed departure of Nathan Patterson and potential arrival of American James Sands. But it is not one in and one out, like for like replacement, Sands is not here to replace the right back position although he can cover there.
Rangers will move again in the market, if they get their way, and bring in a natural right back to challenge James Tavernier. That is apparently the clubs plan and work is going on behind the scenes to bring someone in.
Interestingly Sands is flexible and can play as a centre back, a defensive midfielder or in a three centrally. This gives the manager lots of flexibility and the rumoured eighteen month loan should allow both sides to see if the deal works. Of course the deal isn’t done yet and we await official word from the club.
His proposed arrival does bring question marks surrounding the future of a few players at Ibrox, if he is being earmarked as a number six then a few defensive midfielders may be seriously questioning their futures at the club. I have spoke about this before but some players are earning big money to be sitting on the bench or not involved at all, that needs to be rectified.
So Sands arrival is an interesting one, clearly well thought of in his homeland with MLS All stars appearances and club young player of the year awards, so he has promise. As someone with flexibility that can sometimes bring issues, so I’d like to see what the clubs plans are for him but that will come if he does complete his move. Gio likes his deep midfielders to sit in between the centre backs at times and offer protection so Sands seems ideally equipped to do that.
So as Nathan Patterson leaves in a record breaking deal and James Sands looks to arrive, Rangers transfer business is starting to warm up nicely.
One player not leaving at this moment is Alfredo Morelos. Heart and Hands David Edgar, club’s official media partner, has confirmed from the club that no interest has been lodged or made formal by any of the teams credited with an ‘interest’ in the player. This has all the marks of the agent once again trying to make interest in the player. Keep improving under Gio and returning to his form we know he is capable of physically and performance wise then teams will come in the summer and he can leave having blasted Rangers to 56, the ideal solution for all.
What Rangers now have is the beginning of the transfer strategy we have spoken about for so long. Over £9m immediately banked for Patterson, £3m guaranteed more to come and potentially a further £4m with a sell on, that’s huge money for the club.
What we do next is key. Sands is the first of hopefully a couple set to arrive to bolster the squad. Contracts will now hopefully be sought for those big players who’s deals are running low and this money gives the club options. Rangers spoke about Managerial succession planning, they spoke about a transfer strategy. It has taken time but they deserve credit for implementing a vision, this has proved to be more than words.
January is shaping up to be an interesting month.
Four Lads Had A Dream 