Rangers recorded their seventh straight victory under Danny Rohl on Thursday night against Ludogorets. If any statistic demonstrates why they’ve been happy to spend, and are still scouring the market, it is the German's increasing proclivity to pick up points. This season, once dead in the water, remains full of potential.
Rohl has not sounded like a head coach content with only three additions in his press meetings this week. On Wednesday, he admitted the squad could still carry a versatile attacker capable of playing in a number of positions across the frontline, and repeatedly he has stressed the importance of replacing Connor Barron, who is still facing up to two months on the sidelines through injury.
Rangers’ first two weeks in January were proactive: three pre-identified targets were signed and the most adventurous of those approaches, a loan with the option to buy deal for Andreas Skov Olsen, moved at what sources believed was a fast speed.
Signing Skov Olsen alongside Tochi Chukwuani and Tuur Rommens, both 22, at this juncture means they should be fit and ready for several defining games in Feburary, even if Rommens’ match involvement has been limited due to a previous knock.
The Rangers Review knocked down suggestions that Jens Hjerto-Dahl was in the country yesterday, following a day of social media speculation that he was due to be the latest player unveiled to the Ibrox crowd. The Norwegian is, in fact, in pre-season training with Tromso at a base in the Algarve. The 20-year-old, much like Silas Andersen, is a player that the Ibrox club have tracked and admired and talks were advancing before Rangers decided to sign off on the £4million move for Chukwuani.
Sources close to the situation have stressed a belief that if the club move again in midfield, it will be for a more experienced deep-lying midfielder as opposed to another young investment in the middle of the park. As previously reported, a fee of around £3.5million would be required to sign Hjerto-Dahl, while Andersen would be a weightier investment.
Rohl has allowed Lyall Cameron to depart but Nedim Bajrami is not expected to follow him out the door in the coming days. Mo Diomande and Nico Raskin are both in good form, Chukwuani can play in a variety of midfield roles and Joe Rothwell remains on the club’s books for now.
The Rangers Review understands that Rangers still have room for a loan incoming because, although six players are currently at the club on that basis (Derek Cornelius, Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons, Andreas Skov Olsen, Mikey Moore and Jayden Megjhoma), the latter two are under 21 and from home nations, meaning they don't count towards the overall limit.
Damir Rezdic falls into a similar category as Andersen and Hjerto-Dahl. While there is no indication that a deal is totally off the table, the young Hungarian winger was one of a number being monitored as a possible option on the right wing. Early in talks with Skov Olsen, however, it emerged that the player had his heart set on a move to Ibrox, making the deal the priority.
Meanwhile, there has been no contact between Motherwell and Rangers regarding a move for Tawanda Maswanhise at the time of writing. The club are believed to be more active in monitoring the Scottish market - and as reported earlier this month, had asked to be kept informed on any developments regarding Kieran Bowie’s future.
Maswanhise is an established scorer in the Scottish Premiership who can play in multiple positions but Rangers and Rohl will need to decide if he fits the mould required right now. Indeed, the Rangers Review reported that early links to Tomas Cvancara were false. The club have not been in the market for a centre-forward of Cvancara’s profile.
If they were to move on Danilo, a player that, as previously reported, would be allowed to leave for the right price, Rohl would look to replace the Brazilian with another option in the final third. Speaking at his press conference before the meeting with Ludogorets, Rohl said: "Maybe we find a player who can also play two or three positions, and in all those three positions he is dangerous."
There is an internal belief that goals from Skov Olsen, Thelo Aasgaard, a refreshed left side with Djeidi Gassama and Moore sharing minutes and the increase of open play opportunities should help a team currently struggling for inspiration. It is believed to be more likely that Rangers add in the forward areas than midfield if only one more deal is done - although there is no guarantee that two players will not arrive.
As outlined by the Rangers Review earlier this week, the proactive start to the window allows Rohl and the recruitment committee to be reactive towards the end of the trading period and chairman Andrew Cavenagh is ready to sanction the right deals if opportunities arise.
Findlay Curtis is still expected to join Kilmarnock on loan, but that move could be completed after Thursday’s Europa League trip to Porto. It remains possible the likes of Danilo and Rothwell could leave if buyers emerge. Rabbi Matondo’s wages and lack of football could make moving the winger on a trickier task. Clearly at present, Rohl is carrying a bloated squad in some areas, especially if more incomings arise.
Read more:
- How Danny Rohl is using the Rangers academy to help first-team prepare for matches
- Rangers launch Ibrox campaign and issue fan rallying call for Premiership title bid
Rohl admitted on Thursday night on outgoings: “Maybe then some players will follow this way as well out, because in three weeks we will have just a lot of normal weeks, and if the squad is too big then it's not healthy for the group. We need 20-22 players; they are really hungry and they want to be part of our journey, and for this we will try to make the best decisions in the next couple of days."
The Rangers Review reported on Thursday morning that Kieran Dowell was close to joining Hull City for the final six months of the season before his deal at Ibrox expires in summer. Talks have subsequently developed and Dowell is now anticipated to join the Championship club on a permanent deal. We also revealed that there is confidence that midfielder Kyle Glasgow, the 15-year-old who has been in and around Rohl's squad in recent months, will commit his long-term future to the club.
Share