The fact that three of the seven signings made by Rangers this summer are central midfielders tells its own story about the past and the future.
On one hand, it shows that area of the side has failed and was a source of concern for Derek McInnes and the Ibrox recruitment team. On the other, it points to more movement as the squad evolves and the window unfolds.
In January, around £4million was spent to bring Tochi Chukwuani on board from Sturm Graz. In recent weeks, Dan Neil and Cammy Devlin have both been added on free transfers, arriving from Sunderland and Hearts respectively. Now Vanja Dragojevic has become the latest new face and the latest midfield man for McInnes.
The 20-year-old has signed a long-term contract at Ibrox after finalising a move that has felt like some time in the making for a demanding support. Seven are in and more will follow but there is a consternation in some quarters that another central option has been signed before reinforcements at centre-back or much-needed improvements on the wings.
Every window has domino effects and deals must be done both on their own merits and with the bigger picture in view. That is why Dragojevic has now arrived, his deal signed, sealed and announced after Rangers were able to work through the work permit restrictions this week.
What kind of midfielder is he?
The most common way of categorising a midfielder these days is to assign them a number. In the case of Dragojevic, both six and eight apply. That versatility also extends to a line further back and one further forward. He has played as a centre-half and an attacking midfielder for Partizan but will not be expected to fulfil either role with a blue jersey on his back.
A ball-winning midfielder, his most consistent and impressive spells have come when utilised in a deeper role in the middle of the park. He is capable of scoring goals – he got four in 35 appearances in the Super Liga last term – but that is not where his strengths lie.
A report from the CIES Football Observatory last year highlighted Dragojevic’s progress and potential. In their list of the top ten defensive midfielders from outside the top five European leagues, Dragojevic ranked second behind Agustin Media of CA Lanus in Argentina. The report states that the ‘estimated transfer value of these players for a major club already exceeds €10million’. Rangers have been able to strike a deal at a considerably lower value.
Dragojevic scored highly in his recovery and distribution and those who have watched him closely point to his ability two win back possession – both on and the ground and in the air - and use the ball quickly and effectively. Interestingly, his score in the finishing section was only beaten by Kenan Busuladžić, the Malmo FF midfielder.
He is viewed as an all-rounder rather than a player with a particular stand-out quality. He is composed in possession, with one observer telling the Rangers Review that his long-range passing is particularly useful and precise. Another source in Serbia points to a previous willingness to be more ambitious with the ball at his feet and how this trait could be developed once again. He has played in a possession-dominant side in Partizan and will now look to make his mark in another under McInnes’ guidance.
At six feet tall, he also has a physical profile that is in line with the new recruitment direction at Ibrox. Rangers are moving towards a squad that is more imposing and more powerful and Dragojevic fits into that blueprint.
Others within the Partizan midfield are perhaps more mobile and are more box-to-box. Dragojevic’s role has been more defined and his natural technique and ability to cover the ground give him the core attributes to be a proper ball-winning and ball-playing operator.
Why did Rangers decide to make their move?
Unsurprisingly, Rangers were not the only horse in the race for Dragojevic this summer. The main competition came from FC Copenhagen and Eintracht Frankfurt, although Villarreal were also monitoring the situation. PAOK wanted the player, but not at the £4.6million price point - plus add-ons - that Rangers and Partizan settled on after a couple of weeks of negotiations.
Dragojevic first became aware of Rangers' interest in the closing weeks of last season. He had been on the radar of the recruitment team for some time by that stage, however, with Rangers first honing in on the Serbian last December as planning for the summer window was done in conjunction with their efforts to strengthen the squad for Danny Rohl's ultimately failed Premiership bid.
The position of the player was important. Dragojevic decided early in the process that Ibrox was his preferred destination and that paved the way for a deal to be done. Once the move was put in place, the 20-year-old celebrated with his family and friends in Belgrade and a cake decorated with ‘Vanja 22’ was cut as part of the farewell party.
That 22 jersey number was chosen by Dragojevic as a tribute to his Partizan hero and one-time mentor, Saša Ilić. The former black and whites attacking midfielder wore that shirt for many years during his career in Belgrade. Ilić was the last manager that Dragojevic worked with at the club and best wishes for the move were received in the days before the official announcement of the deal.
McInnes gave the move his blessing upon his appointment as Rohl’s successor. That alignment between the manager and the recruitment team has been important over the course of the window and will continue as the final deals are completed this summer.
"We are really excited to bring Vanja on board," McInnes said. "He's got huge potential, really exciting attributes, and boasts the character to play in this environment.
“To captain a club the size of FK Partizan at such a young age tells you everything you need to know about the respect he commands and the leadership qualities he already possesses.
"I believe he will add a lot to our group, and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead."
Dragojevic has done his homework, too. He has spent recent weeks studying matches from last season to gain an understanding of the club and the league and some of those who he will be playing alongside this term. He is now in line for a competitive debut at Tannadice as he looks to put the theory into action.
Does he have the personality to play at Ibrox?
One source familiar with Dragojevic as a player and a person has told the Rangers Review that his strength of character is his biggest asset. Coming from an environment as intense as Belgrade will prepare the Serbian youth internationalist for life at Ibrox and there is confidence on both sides of the deal that Dragojevic has both the quality and the character to make his mark in a blue jersey.
Dragojevic brought the best out of himself when pushed by those of a similar mindset and he does not shy away from hard work or difficult situations. He progressed quickly through the youth ranks at Partizan and became captain despite his lack of years and experience.
The Conference League fixture with Oleksandriya last season – a match that Partizan won 4-0 at home – was seen as something of a coming-of-age evening for Dragojevic. The line-up had an average age of just 22 but the midfielder ran the show in front of a full house. The natural energy of his youth was combined with a performance of an older head and he endeared himself to supporters.
"When I heard it I already knew it was very interesting for me,” Dragojevic said as he outlined his enthusiasm at working under a ‘great manager’ in McInnes.
"I think this winning mentality that Rangers have is compatible with my mentality. I think it is good for me to develop as a player and to continue developing also as a person."
Partizan’s financial situation has helped Dragojevic’s transition from the academy to the first team, alongside several other members of the youth ranks. He stood out early on, though, and has established himself in the team and in the dressing room, often praised for his mentality and the way in which he was able to respond to adversity, either individual or collective.
There are similarities between Rangers and Partizan given their respective struggles over the last decade. One of the giants of the Serbian game, Partizan have not lifted the Super Liga title in a decade but that has not diminished the demand from supporters and it is very much a sink or swim environment.
The dream for Dragojevic was to play for Partizan rather than chase money or opportunities elsewhere in Europe and he leaves the club having achieved his first ambition. He does so fully cognisant of the need to emerge victorious in a fierce city rivalry and in a title race. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, perhaps.
What does this mean for the rest of the window?
In Dragojevic, Devlin and Neil, McInnes now has the six role adequately covered in both strength and depth. The profile of the central area has changed significantly as a result and the latest addition will benefit from a competitive, challenging environment that will test him but also see him grow on and off the park.
Three midfield arrivals must be followed by midfield departures. Right now, the numbers don’t stack up in football or financial terms for Rangers and there will be more movement in this area as McInnes fine-tunes his squad over what remains of the window.
Read more:
- Ivor Pandur interview: Working with 'legend' McGregor, Ibrox near miss and Hull exit
- The one underlying message that Derek McInnes is drilling into his Rangers squad
Bailey Rice signed a new deal and then made the switch to Kilmarnock. Lyall Cameron is down the pecking order and will be allowed to depart should a move materialise, while Connor Barron’s future is also uncertain as he recovers from the knee injury that has limited his time on the grass during pre-season. Jose Cifuentes is taking up a squad space and wages for zero return.
There will be more to come from Chukwuani as he enters his first full campaign at Ibrox. This summer will be the last that Nico Raskin spends in Glasgow amid interest from Villarreal and Real Betis and Mohamed Diomande, who also has two years left on his deal, is also earmarked for an exit.
That would leave scope for another arrival. Could it be Jens Hjerto-Dahl? That remains to be seen as both Tromso and the midfielder consider their options while Rangers and Cardiff City look to clinch a deal. Any move for the Norwegian would need to fit into the Rangers' valuation of the player, with Tromso understood to be seeking a fee in the region of £8.5m.
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