THE void generated by Calvin Bassey’s departure to Ajax has been filled, at least numerically.

Ridvan Yilmaz and Ben Davies have arrived with the requisite quality to hold down the starting left centre-back and left-back berth, respectively. Despite the apparent skill both possess, neither provide the injection of physical dominance that Bassey could, which proved so crucial when trying to suffocate teams in Europe and during Old Firm matches.

Much was made of Rangers' man-oriented approach in Europe last season, and the results were undeniable. With Bassey gone, an aggressive man-to-man system seems a lot more difficult to impose, not to mention the fact that Rangers now lack a defender with the explosiveness to pacify the quality of opposition to come if Champions League football is played at Ibrox this season.

It’s not just me who thinks this; my colleague Joshua Barrie provided a specific pitch for this article, as detailed below.

  • A player who boasts above-average speed and can act as a 'cheat-code' when Rangers play high up the pitch
  • Is dominant in one-v-one duels and therefore able to act as the last line of defence
  • Has the required tactical discipline and agility to step into midfield and close down opponents 

It’s appropriate to note that any action on the centre-back front will likely occur next summer when Filip Helander’s deal expires. However, a man who does not plan long ahead will find trouble at his door.

Given the relatively relaxed nature of the timeline, this piece won’t focus on a single individual in depth; instead, it will feature an extensive shortlist of individuals who fit the outlined specifications and could assuage the status quo now or more likely, in 12 months or so.

I’ve broken down the list into three distinct categories, each doing as the label says. So let’s take a look at the individuals who populate the shortlist.

Right Profile, Wrong Side, Wrong Foot

Andres Llinas, Milonaros

Llinas is a 25-year-old Colombian defender who has proved to be one of Liga Dimayor and in general, South America’s best centre-backs. He made his national team debut in January of 2022 but is towards the bottom of a relatively stacked centre-back rotation.

He stands at 188cm and can physically impose himself on opposition defenders, as he has a very solid frame and is relatively quick across the ground, impressively so for a centre-back. Technically, he’s very well-rounded, maintaining an impressive passing range and important role in build-up, and also capable of breaking the lines while running with the ball. He’s an aggressive defender, certainly more of a dog than a cat in the classic typology of centre-backs, which satisfies Rangers' need.

Mamadou Fall, LAFC

Fall cut his teeth in the upper echelons of American high-school football before making his way to the LAFC and continuing to impress in the MLS. The Senegalese centre-back is still incredibly young, turning 20 in November.

He’s profiled as pretty much the complete centre-back in the MLS this season, providing value on all fronts. Fall shares Bassey’s aggressive tendencies but doesn’t have the same intimidating frame and strength, although he does stand at 190cm. The youngster has attracted interest from European clubs after just 12 months of professional football, an indication of his current quality and incredible potential.

Rangers Review:

Right side, Right profile, Wrong Foot

Andreas Hanche Olsen, Gent

Hanche-Olsen was recorded as possessing the most statistically similar profile to Bassey at centre-back, amongst a sample of almost 1800 players. Like the Nigerian, the Norwegian can play at full-back, filling in on both sides in Norway and later in Belgium. Hanche-Olsen cut his teeth in the Eliteserien before leaving for Belgium in 2020 for under £1million.

The Gent-man is a capable and incredibly aggressive defender who can fall back on his good pace and strong frame. He’s also a very confident and willing ball-carrier in large part due to his time at full-back, and he can match this ball-carrying ability with dependable ball-playing attributes.

Hanche-Olsen’s minutes have been evenly distributed across the left, central, and right centre-back positions, boding well for our jigsaw-like setup. The Norwegian’s deal expires in 12 months. If he is available on a Bosman come January, Rangers should do everything in their power to secure his services going forward.

Adonis Frias, Defensa y Justicia

Frias is an incredibly aggressive defender who plays with his heart on his sleeve, embodying all the classical tropes of South American football. A key cog in Defensa’s Copa Sudanmerica (South American Europa League) win in 2021, he has not got his move like many others have. At just 24, Frias is primed for a transfer to Europe and fingers crossed it’s to Rangers as he would suit either side of a prospective centre-back pairing. For more detail on Frias, he was featured in a piece focusing on the southern tip of South America for the Rangers Review.

Sheriff Sinyan, Molde

An undervalued and underrated Gambian international playing in Norway. Pretty much the carbon copy of Leon Balogun, but even more comfortable on the left side of the defence. Sinyan would represent a paradox of risk given as he has a spotty injury history, but his current deal with Molde expires at the turn of 2023, so any financial risk would be absent. I wrote a full profile on him for the Rangers Review early in the year.

Right Side, Right Profile, Right Foot

Kamal Miller, CF Montreal

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The carbon copy of Bassey, literally. The Canadian national team centre-back, much like Bassey, is positionally bilingual, looking natural at both left-back and centre-back, although performing better at the latter. He made the MLS all-star side a month ago and is in the midst of his proper breakout season. Before Bassey's departure, I wrote a complete profile on the defender for the Rangers Review.

Natan, RB Bragantino

The ultimate left centre-back option. Natan is the jewel in Red Bull’s Brazilian project and is destined to play in Europe’s best competitions at some juncture in his career. He’s about as dominant and complete a centre-back that could be whispered alongside Rangers' name, although it would take some job to convince Natan to come to Ibrox as he will likely have better offers.

He’s adept on the ball and in the duel, showing off an aggressive nature that would fit perfectly at Rangers and in the greater ecosystem of Scottish football. His mix of athletic prowess and technical ability supersedes almost all players currently playing in Scotland, let alone centre-backs. The 21-year-old joined RB Baraginto for £3.15m, and with his contractual future secure in Brazil, it would take a large chunk of change to tempt him to Ibrox, likely Ryan Kent money. He could represent an incredible and ambitious piece of business.