There is a sense that many figures - both on the park and off it - are learning on the go right now at Ibrox. At the start of a new term, that is only natural as executives get their feet under the tables and players find their comfort zone.
The summer transfer window brought a double-digit turnover once again for Rangers. As Russell Martin has often referenced, and as Kevin Thelwell addressed this week, time is just as precious than money when it comes to assembling a squad at Ibrox.
The two latest acquisitions - Youssef Chermiti and Derek Cornelius - have yet to make their first impressions. Others have, of course. In the eyes of Thelwell, Rangers are in a better place at the end of the trading period than they were at the start of it.
"I think now the window's closed, I think we've got a nice balance to the group," Thelwell told RangersTV. "In my view, we've improved the group across all parts of the team, you know, defence, midfield, attack in a very simple context.
"And now it's about actually getting to work with this group of players that are all now in the same space together and focusing down on what we need to achieve, which is creating a winning team that Rangers fans can be proud of, the club can be proud of."
Here, Chris Jack and Blair Malloy give their verdicts on the signings. Has the net investment of around £20million been cash well spent or another case of throwing good money after bad?
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YOUSSEF CHERMITI (C)
Chermiti will have to have broad shoulders to carry the expectation that comes with a £10million price tag in Glasgow. A fast start seems imperative if he is to win over a sceptical support, but I’m willing to take an emotional gamble that the 21-year-old could replace a Hamza Igamane-shaped hole in my heart.
Blair Malloy
YOUSSEF CHERMITI (B)
The striker arrives with plenty of weight on his shoulders given his price tag. He also has the pressure to perform given that Rangers have lost the guaranteed goals that Cyriel Dessers provided. Chermiti wouldn’t have gone for such a fee to Everton if he did not have something about him and this is a second show of faith in his abilities. Let’s see him in action before writing him off.
Chris Jack
DEREK CORNELIUS (LOAN) (B)
The other deadline day arrival with Chermiti, the 27-year-old appears to add some much-needed experience in defence. A Canadian international who can operate at both left centre-back and left-back, two problem positions for Rangers, looks to be a shrewd pick up and will instantly win the hearts of the support if he can help shore up a thus far chaotic defence.
Blair Malloy
DEREK CORNELIUS (LOAN) (B)
The interview that Thelwell conducted with RangersTV confirmed that Cornelius will be able to fill in at left-back if required. Yet it is the left-sided centre-back slot that it is the most important one after he was recruited to fill a position that has needed attention for some time. The Canadian comes with plenty of experience for club and country and that could be a valuable asset in a squad that needs leadership.
Chris Jack
OSCAR CORTES (F)
A disastrous signing all round for Rangers. Cortes was hampered by injury and hamstrung in gaining many well-wishers due to the £4.5 million that Rangers shelled out for him. Only signed permanently at the start of this window after an initial loan stint, he left to join Sporting Gijon on loan on deadline day. There is still hope that with a spell in the Spanish second tier he can come back with first-team aspirations, but at the time of writing, this is a cautionary tale of buyer's remorse.
Blair Malloy
OSCAR CORTES (F)
If it was possible to grade someone lower then Cortes would have that letter beside his name. A loan move to Sporting Gijon could rekindle his career but it is more likely to be a case of out of sight and out of mind when it comes to the Colombian from a Rangers perspective. Fitness and form concerns have plagued him over recent seasons and he has all the hallmarks of a costly mistake for Rangers.
Chris Jack
OLIVER ANTMAN (C+)
Antman showed flashes of brilliance on his debut against Viktoria Plzen, where the ‘flying Finn’ dovetailed excellently with Djeidi Gassama in Rangers’ only truly complete performance under Martin. Since then, he has struggled to find space down the flanks where he likes to operate. I’d put his drop-off in form down to systemic issues rather than personal ones but he has to provide more moments for fans to grab on to.
Blair Malloy
OLIVER ANTMAN (B)
The Finnish forward was so highly rated in his formative years that he almost won a dream move to Barcelona. His time at FC Nordsjælland and Go Ahead Eagles has given Antman plenty of experience and, at just 24, there is still scope for improvement. He has yet to follow up on an eye-catching debut but there is enough about his profile to suggest that he will be worth the investment this season.
Chris Jack
THELO AASGAARD (C)
Aasgaard’s start to life at Rangers was hampered by injury and he has only just got going in his new side. Ticks all the right boxes in terms of physical profile and did well to mark Callum McGregor out of Sunday’s Old Firm meeting, but an ill-conceived plan to use him as a centre forward against St Mirren did his reputation no favours. If given license to operate in his favoured number 10 area, he has the potential to thrive.
Blair Malloy
THELO AASGAARD (B-)
The Norwegian internationalist became the latest attack minded player that was instructed to perform a defensive focused job in the Old Firm on Sunday. That came a week after he was asked to play at centre-forward in the draw with St Mirren and failed to impress. Aasgaard has yet to show his full potential, therefore, but there is real belief in the player within Ibrox and the coming weeks will allow him to win over his doubters.
Chris Jack
BOJAN MIOVSKI (A-)
The signing of the summer in my eyes. Finally, Rangers have gone out and bought someone who is proven in the Scottish top division. He made himself a nuisance on his Old Firm debut and I have no doubt that he’ll find the net this year. 20 goals minimum. Come back to me in May.
Blair Malloy
BOJAN MIOVSKI (A)
Some signings just make perfect sense and the recruitment of the former Aberdeen forward ticks that particular box. Rangers would have had to pay a significantly higher fee for Miovski had he moved straight from Pittodrie and he brings a Premiership track record to Ibrox. The prospect of a partnership with Chermiti has already got supporters enticed.
Chris Jack
EMMANUEL FERNANDEZ (D)
Fernandez seems every bit the ‘project player’. An expensive project at £3.5 million, but a project nonetheless. Martin has been reticent to use the centre-back and at 23-years-old, he seems to be creeping above the threshold where potential starts to look unfulfilled. There may be a player there somewhere. Whether it can be unearthed at Ibrox? Time will tell.
Blair Malloy
EMMANUEL FERNANDEZ (D)
The former Peterborough stopper could be described as ‘raw’. Rangers clearly see something in him to invest such a fee in him but he looks more like one for the future than this season. Nasser Djiga, John Souttar and new arrival Cornelius will be ahead of him. When he gets his chances, he must show that he is improving all the time.
Chris Jack
DJEIDI GASSAMA (A-)
Biggest impact of any of the new signings so far. Hit the ground sprinting with his debut goal against Panathinaikos and followed that up with impressive goals in subsequent Champions League qualifiers. Struggled a shade domestically when trying to break down a low-block but his quality is there for all to see and will be a key player if Rangers are to achieve anything this year.
Blair Malloy
DJEIDI GASSAMA (A)
His form in the European fixtures speaks for itself. Had it not been for Gassama, Rangers could have suffered an early exit on the continent and been in a far worse position overall. Premiership matches offer a different challenge and his skill rather than his speed will be needed against most domestic opponents. The former PSG kid is already a punt that looks like it will pay off.
Chris Jack
JOE ROTHWELL (D+)
A really difficult start to life at Rangers for a player who featured heavily in the English Championship for Leeds United last year. It certainly doesn’t seem to be the same player that fans of the Yorkshire giants were sad to see depart. Looks completely off the pace and although not his fault, has the perception of taking the place of fan favourite Nico Raskin in the team without putting in any performances to earn it.
Blair Malloy
JOE ROTHWELL (D)
Was honest enough to admit that his form wasn’t where he wanted it to be a couple of weeks ago. It is not where the Rangers fans expected it to be, either. Rothwell arrived with big billing after impressive campaigns in the Championship but has found life north of the border difficult to adapt to so far. Right now, he is not the first pick at No.6 and he needs to quickly prove he can handle the speed and physicality of the game here.
Chris Jack
LYALL CAMERON (B)
The only player on the list not signed by Martin and the new regime after penning a pre-contract in January. The 22-year-old has won favour amongst the fans with his relentless running and positivity with the ball. May not have been the most fashionable arrival but has outperformed some of his counterparts who haven’t lived up to their fanfare.
Blair Malloy
LYALL CAMERON (B)
Speaking of signings that just make sense. Cameron admitted himself that he was not the headline-grabbing deal of the window and that his low-key billing suited him just fine. Has been picked out a couple of times for his endeavour by Martin and has shown quality on the ball as well. Goal against Plzen should be the first of several this term.
Chris Jack
MIKEY MOORE (LOAN) (C-)
Hard to judge the Tottenham loanee given his lack of game time. Made his first start in the Old Firm derby, and while he didn’t shrink from the occasion, his impact was also minimal. He is clearly in Scotland to learn his trade and will quickly realise what pressure feels like if he hasn’t already.
Blair Malloy
MIKEY MOORE (LOAN) (C)
Life at Ibrox will certainly be a learning experience for Moore. Rangers will be good for the 17-year-old. How good will he be for Rangers? The winger clearly has talent but it would be wrong to put too much pressure on him straight away. Let’s see when he can force his way into the side on a regular basis.
Chris Jack
NASSER DJIGA (LOAN) (C)
Has shown flashes of the £10million central defender that Wolves bought earlier in the year but has equally had as many moments that make you realise why he isn’t in the first team at Molineux. Has a lot of convincing to do after the calamitous Brugge double header, where he was at the heart of a nine-goal aggregate drubbing. The addition of Cornelius will hopefully lift his game.
Blair Malloy
NASSER DJIGA (LOAN) (C)
A solid start gave glimpses of his potential and an insight into why Wolves spent the money on him. Has shown his inexperience at times and the Champions League proved to be a step too far for him. Still looks like a first pick for now and it remains to be seen if it is Souttar or Cornelius that slots in alongside him. Needs to improve on the ball.
Chris Jack
MAX AARONS (LOAN) (D)
Another who has found his start to life at Rangers difficult. Not helped by being played in the unfamiliar position of left-back, he was written off after a few games by swathes of the support. Despite getting his opportunity at his favoured right-back he has done little to warrant a place in the team and finds himself behind James Tavernier. Unfortunately, a downgrade on what was already here and has a big six months ahead to convince many that another right back shouldn't be recruited in January.
Blair Malloy
MAX AARONS (LOANS) (D)
The early outings at left-back looked like they hit his confidence and a switch to his more natural berth hasn’t been the kick-start that was required. Recruited from Bournemouth to be an upgrade on James Tavernier but the captain deserves the spot at present. Needs to find his rhythm sooner rather than later and prove he can handle the Ibrox crowd.
Chris Jack
JAYDEN MEGHOMA (LOAN) (B+)
A lot of expectation has already been placed on the 19-year-old, who starts the season as Rangers' only recognized left-back. He has looked bright in his few outings thus far, but the fable of Jefte should be heeded by the coaching staff so we don’t see another young player burnt out before the clocks go back.
Blair Malloy
JAYDEN MEGHOMA (B)
His lack of years and games are an obvious negative and a concern for supporters. If you judge him on what he has done so far, though, then you have to be optimistic about the role he can play. Should be good enough for the Premiership and most of the European fixtures will not be at the level of Brugge. With no natural back-up, he will be asked to prove his robustness at home and abroad.
Chris Jack
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