Transfer chat, what we need and hopefully soon

With Fabio Silva being brought to Rangers as soon as the January window opened, I was hopeful there would be one or two more in the door before the squad went go La Manga for their winter camp.

Alas, that hasn’t happened. The winter transfer window is notoriously difficult to navigate. Clubs don’t really want to let players go unless they already have replacements in their own squads.

There’s still a week or so left. Maybe we will see another couple arriving as the squad is short in certain areas.

What do Rangers need to bring in to enhance the playing squad? In an ideal world, I think we’d all like to see a goal scoring striker, a right winger, and a creative midfielder arriving before the end of the month, but again, we all realise how difficult it can be to get deals over the line half way through a season.

The club has been linked to different players on a daily basis at the moment, which is the norm, but it is frustrating as well. So much so that the club has had to get the message across that these rumours aren’t true. That’s great. Clarity is needed, but as a football fan, we get excited when our club is linked with good players.

The latest player to be linked with Rangers is Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Marko Bulat.

The left back position is also an interesting one with constant suggestions that Ridvan Yilmaz is heading out the Ibrox exit door.

Bulat looks like a fine player, but the suggestion is Rangers have been put off by the asking price. Time will tell on where the land lies with this player, but it’s notable Rangers seem to be looking in different markets than previously.

This type of potential signing would see the club heading down a different path in regard to signing policy.

With a new manager in Philippe Clement and the recently appointed Nils Koppen as Director of Football Recruitment, it will be intriguing to see what Rangers do in terms of bringing players in, and hopefully getting some of the dead wood out the door.

The biggest “will he, won’t he” story of this window is clearly Lawrence Shankland. Hearts have offered him a lucrative new bumper deal. If he signs that, then obviously, that will end Rangers’ interest in the SPFL’s top scorer this season. That’s if there is any genuine interest, as so far, Rangers have said nothing either way about the player.

I personally still think we need another striker to come in. With Kemar Roofe and Danilo out long-term , the team is still short in that area. A goal scoring striker is a must, whether Silva is that player remains to be seen, but, with Rangers firing on all fronts, going for the title, the Scottish Cup, and into the round of sixteen in The Europa League, I’d find it a tad concerning going into the second half of the season with Cyriel Dessers (who’s clearly not confident) and a young loan signing, who’s trying to make his way in the game.

Sam Lammers has gone on loan to Utrecht, and I hope it works out for him back in his homeland. He had a very difficult time in Scotland, and being realistic about his situation, he’s clearly not the quality Rangers need, to challenge for the league.

Ideally, I’d like to see those that are surplus to requirements exiting this month. Again, though, it’s very difficult to get clubs to take players who aren’t wanted or not playing much football off your hands.

In an ideal world, Rangers would be able to offload a few players the manager clearly doesn’t fancy. There’s a few in the squad who just haven’t kicked on in a Rangers jersey.

If Rangers could get guys like Ben Davies, or Rabbi Matondo, or even the likes of Scott Wright off the books this month, then it opens up a few opportunities to bring replacements in, but again, we all understand how difficult that is in the winter transfer window.

Yimaz being sold may well open the door for Rangers to spend some money strengthening key positions. If a deal goes through, then I’d expect Rangers to free up some finance and bring one or two more in.

One position I’d want to see improved is the right wing berth. Young McCausland has been fantastic since his breakthrough, but it would be wrong to think he can play two games a week for most of the season. Other than Scott Wright, there isn’t any cover in that area, and with all respect to Wright, that position is a weakness in the team, at the moment.

If extra finances were to be freed up, with one or two offers for players on the periphery of the squad, such as Ben Davies or Rabbi Matondo, then in an ideal world I’d love to see Rangers bringing in a creative midfielder this month.

However, that type of player tends to cost plenty, so that’ll be difficult unless there’s a lot of wheeling and dealing over the next week or so.

In truth, I can’t see too much business being done before the window shuts. As I said earlier, January is a difficult month to do business.

Rangers aren’t blessed with incredible finances, I think players will need to leave before the club will be splashing much cash on new recruits.

So, at this point, welcome Fabio Silva, I hope you smash it out the park, and we’ll all have to sit tight to see what happens over the next two weeks in regard to players coming and going.

This transfer window is vital. I’ve no doubt behind the scenes all concerned are incredibly busy and pushing hard to get what’s best for Rangers. The club really does have to do everything they can to help the manager and his backroom staff. With the start he’s had, he deserves to be backed by the board. He’s proved he’s a winner, so if it’s at all possible, give him what he needs to help him improve this team.

There’s a league title up for grabs, a potential treble to be won, and there’s still an even more successful European campaign to be had.

If Rangers can get some business done in the next two weeks, get key areas strengthened, then they’ll be in very good shape for the rest of the season ahead.

That has to be the aim for everyone at the club. To aid the manager in his quest for success.

It’s all there for Rangers. This season could go down in the clubs folklore if the tweaks the manager wants to make can be made to happen.

I’d like to see the board push the boat out a little, back their new manager, and give him every chance of a very successful and memorable campaign, with big shiny silver things to show off in May.

It’ll be a very interesting last week or so, let’s see what happens.