The post winter break blues are every Rangers fan’s concern. Recent history has evidence to support any anxiety we may have had.
After the loss at Parkhead Rangers finished strongly against Kilmarnock but with three tricky away games to return too it was always going to be a question of the teams real credentials, make no mistake they have answered them strongly.
This is a different Rangers team under Philippe Clement, that is undeniable. Players are responding both individually and collectively to a team which, whisper it gently, are producing good football at times.
Clement has got Rangers being rather efficient with a series of results we may expect, but have actually been delivered this time, as well as trophy success and European progress. All whilst battling against injuries and inheriting a squad deeply affected by loss of form.
Against Dumbarton Rangers were efficient in horrible conditions, scoring four and creating a lot more. They went to Hibs and made that as routine and stress free as any recent trip in history. Then against St Mirren with the manager acknowledging it wouldn’t be ‘sexy’, due to pitch condition and weather, they were able to dig in and find a way.
Whilst it wasn’t pretty we were rarely troubled in Paisley and supporters my age will recall a certain Legendary Walter Smith making that his trademark, as he produced successful side after side. It’s a trait we have failed to establish but long for, it’s what delivers titles.
The fact we have came through these games give me genuine hope that we are on the right track and have a manager that is capable of taking Rangers to where we really want to be.
In those performances John Lundstram is shining as Mr Consistent, always in the discussion for Man of the Match, he has been everywhere and at the heart of everything we have done well. A goal at Dumbarton and two fabulous assists since for Ridvan and Dessers is just rewards for some sparkling form.
Contract talks are underway, as confirmed by the manager, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they were close to finalising.
Then there is big Cyriel, with 3 in 3 since the break, including some moments of magic and madness. He will miss chances but as he said himself, he is growing and getting better every game. He never hides to his credit.
His stats since the new manager are quite telling;
Under Beale, 15 appearances, 3 goals, 3 assists
Under Clement, 18 appearances, 9 goals, 4 assists. Now averaging 0.72 goal per 90 mins.
But it’s also the eye test, he looks fitter and is certainly playing with more confidence. At Dumbarton he never hid after several misses then finally scores which boosts him to two fantastic finishes this past week, Easter Road being a moment of magic and Paisley being a crucial match winner.
That’s down to the player but it’s also down to a coach who is clearly getting the best out of him also.
Ridvan Yilmaz, even as speculation remains, is performing stronger every game and also playing like a real stand out.
Of course we have to be grounded but everything points to a quietly optimistic challenge for the title and if Rangers can strengthen then who knows just how far that challenge can go.
The players positions and profiles linked are certainly encouraging to help that challenge….
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Rangers second foray into the transfer market this window happened last week with Mohamed Diomande arriving on loan with an obligation to buy for an undisclosed amount, believed to be around £4.5m, this summer.
He is described as a left sided box to box midfielder, capable of playing wide left also as well as centrally. He has already got a considerable amount of experience at the tender age of 22. Over 100 games for Nordsjaelland, 13 goals and 14 assists.
He is highly rated and fills a position we have required strengthening, especially with the injury situation.
More players linked and deals which are reportedly progressing include Colombian Oscar Cortes. The Lens winger, capable of playing either wing but prominently right sided, is subject to speculation of a loan move with an option to buy.
The winger has played just 40 mins for Lens notching 1 goal and 1 assist, but for Millionares he has 5 goals and 2 assists in 11 appearances. At the U20 world cup, he had 4 goals and 2 assists. The 20 year old is an exciting talent and a move to certainly keep an eye on.
Another linked is 20 year old Brazilian Left sided player Jefte, currently on loan at Apoel from Fluminense. The full back, capable of playing left wing, is said to be available for around £500k but since Fabrizio Romano tweeted the deal was on last week, not a lot has been said on his arrival. The full back has three goals and four assists in eighteen appearances so far this season.
So what does these players or these linked players tell us about what the club is doing?
Well it’s very clear we now have a strategy in the transfer market. We have spoken about it before but we have to sign players who can function in a player trading model, buy young and sell on for maximum profit.
Diomande is 22, with Jefte and Cortes just 20. The profiles are right, young, exciting talented ‘wonderkids’ in need of a platform to flourish. Whilst most of what we know comes from stats it’s certainly encouraging to see Rangers explore markets that has bargains if we are ready to find them.
What is also pleasing is we seem to be trying to address problem areas, Left back, Centre Midfield, Right wing, chuck in a striker and we may just be onto something.
There will be outgoings with speculation remaining over Ridvan Yilmaz and Jose Cifuentes, but perhaps some other moves in and out will emerge in the comings days also. It will be exciting if nothing else.
We all said January would make or break our season but there are clear signs, under a genuinely competent manager and Director of Football recruitment, that Rangers are heading in the right direction once more.
Nothing is achieved yet in terms of title races but it is more achievable for a group that is flourishing and on the cusp of being strengthened.
Exciting times ahead for Rangers.
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