Rangers' squad profiled: A 'dormant not dead' position and key contract questions

A week on, Antonio Colak, Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo have all arrived, helping create a far healthier squad complexion. The trio should address last season’s lack of genuine goal threats and freshen up an attacking unit that hasn’t been the subject of much investment since the summer of 2020.

The remainder of the window remains uncertain. If Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side can navigate their way beyond Champions League qualifiers, significant funds will be accessed. Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent are yet to agree new contracts and with both of their current deals expiring next summer, Ross Wilson will be keen to establish outcomes sooner rather than later. It wouldn’t be a surprise if interest in Glen Kamara and Calvin Bassey intensified from the Premier League and irrespective of any external factors, further additions should be anticipated.

Some areas of the squad appear settled ahead of the new campaign, while other positions could be subject to change.

Goalkeepers

Allan McGregor, Jon McLaughlin, Robby McCrorie

McGregor’s extension didn’t sit well with large numbers of supporters, given costly errors last season and a seemingly-inevitable downward curve. The 40-year-old’s retirement appeared to be all but confirmed in the final minutes of the Scottish Cup Final when Jon McLaughlin sacrificed his place in goals, to allow McGregor what appeared a final goodbye. Instead, the veteran signed a new contract in the close season.

Van Bronckhorst told the Rangers Review in Portugal last week that he has not decided on next season's No.1, saying “they [McGregor and McLaughlin] are pushing each other as well to be the first goalkeeper this year.”

McLaughlin’s superior ball-playing ability and command of his penalty box conveniently address the areas in which McGregor was exposed last season. With that being said, it’s unlikely that the long-term No.1 has agreed to stick around without some assurances over playing time. If he were to spend most of the season on the bench, while his experience could prove vital, it’s hard to argue the merits of a player his age blocking the pathway of 24-year-old Robby McCrorie.

Verdict: It’s not improbable that McCrorie leaves in search of first-team football. That aside, the only uncertainty in goals surrounds the No.1 spot.

Defenders

Right-back: James Tavernier, Adam Devine, Matheus Zukowski. Centre-back: Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic, John Souttar, Filip Helander, Leon King, Jack Simpson. Left-back: Calvin Bassey, Borna Barisic*

Does Tavernier have a nailed-on deputy? Zukowski’s ability remains unknown while Devine impressed on the final day of last season at Tynecastle and the youngster travelled with the squad for their pre-season camp last week.

When reviewing options across the rest of the defence, questions arise. If Bassey is to play at left-back, can Souttar and Helander be relied upon to compete regularly given their respective injury history? Is King ready to play consistently if called upon? Will Barisic be content playing second fiddle, while coming into the end of his peak years, if Bassey remains at the club?

The current contingent of defensive options gives van Bronckhorst sufficient cover and varying options, however, interest in Bassey is unlikely to go away and Barisic’s future doesn’t appear dead set.

Verdict: Defensive activity in the market is dormant, not dead. The club will likely be preparing fall-back options should any departures occur.

Midfielders

John Lundstram, Steven Davis, James Sands*, Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara, Stephen Kelly, Charlie McCann

Van Bronckhorst is likely to play with a single and double pivot this season, depending on the opposition. Given he wants his wingers and attacking midfield players to remain as high up the pitch as possible, an extra defensive midfielder is required to move the ball beyond opposition pressure in some matches. This change was catalysed by a 3-0 Old Firm defeat in February which exposed the lack of central bodies the Dutchman's high and wide 4-3-3 provided.

With that said, the defensive midfield area is well-stocked. Lundstram is first choice while Jack performed well in the second half of last season having returned from injury and Kamara has grown into the hybrid No.8 role. Davis is unlikely to start regularly given his age but demonstrated his value at the end of 2021/22 and while Sands is yet to break through, a cup win at Dundee last year demonstrated the functional, facilitating role he can play in this side.

There remains a lack of creativity from deep, although given Rangers’ style of play under van Bronckhorst a player of this calibre should be filed under ‘want’ rather than ‘need’.

Verdict: While no immediate business is required, a deep-lying playmaker could be a good use of the potential Champions League money on offer later this window.

Attacking midfielders

Tom Lawrence, Alex Lowry, Scott Arfield, Ianis Hagi

Hagi is unlikely to play again this year and Arfield’s age should discount him from playing a leading role in the squad, meaning the attacking midfield unit requires further reinforcement.

Lowry is ready to play a considerable amount of minutes this year while Lawrence hasn’t come up north to sit on the bench, but given van Bronckhorst’s desire for an attack-minded midfield, he needs strength in depth. Last season, the now-departed Aribo and Arfield were overused as attacking No.8s and a player capable of playing across the midfield, with attacking inclinations, will surely arrive before the close of play.

READ MORE: Rabbi Matondo scouted: Rangers' new shot-happy winger with electric pace

It could be argued the attacking midfield area is most in need of a 'starter' signing.  Someone capable of adding numbers but also dominating from box to box, just as Aribo did during his three-year stay in Scotland. Perhaps the quality of this arrival will be Champions League dependent.

Verdict: Expect one player of quality to arrive at No.8/10, to provide van Bronckhorst with an attacking midfielder in line with his philosophy. 

Wingers

Ryan Kent, Fashion Sakala, Rabbi Matondo, Scott Wright

Speaking about the arrival of Matondo this week, Sporting Director Ross Wilson said: “We wanted to invest in a wide player this summer and we are excited with what Rabbi will bring to our group.” Reading between the lines, that certainly sounds like the 21-year-old Welsh international has been purchased to play on the right wing, a long-standing issue at Rangers.

At time of writing, with Kent still at the club, it’s safe to assume Sakala and Wright will act as backup options on the left and right. Sakala is unpolished but offers a direct goal threat that can prove effective domestically and while Wright grew into the right-sided hybrid role last year, he doesn’t possess the consistent output to make that spot his own.

Verdict: If Kent moves on this window, a replacement will be required but otherwise, Rangers can leave the transfer window having improved their wide options.

Strikers

Alfredo Morelos, Antonio Colak, Kemar Roofe

Colak may have endured a difficult spell at PAOK but prolific returns in Sweden and Croatia suggest his £1.8million move is excellent business on the surface. The Croatian is a typical van Bronckhorst striker; physical, dynamic and composed in front of goal. While Morelos is still regarded to be first choice in this position, Colak provides genuine like-for-like competition which should only enhance both individuals. Furthermore, the Colombian’s future remains unclear at present with a contract yet to be signed.

Roofe’s latest injury, which kept him out of the trip to Portugal, only emphasises his frustratingly-irregular availability. Given his wages and length of contract, selling the Jamaican international could prove tricky. But given Morelos is working to regain his fitness for the start of next season, and will take time to develop match sharpness, van Bronckhorst won’t want to approach the new campaign with only Colak available up top, given his preference to play with a focal-point No.9.

Verdict: Don’t disqualify the likelihood of movement both in and out at No.9. Roofe’s injury record could spell departure while Morelos’ future is yet to be fully disclosed.