It is safe to say that the Glasgow Rangers squad as it stands, isn’t good enough to challenge for the Premiership title.
Russell Martin has a mammoth job on his hands, especially with the Gers facing off against Panathinaikos in the Champions League qualifiers in just under three weeks.
Date
Opposition
Competition
July 22
Panathinaikos
Champions League qualifiers
July 30
Panathinaikos
Champions League qualifiers
August 2
Motherwell
Premiership
August 9
Dundee
Premiership
August 23
St Mirren
Premiership
Via Transfermarkt
The new boss has made a decent start in the transfer market, signing players such as Max Aarons, Emmanuel Fernandez and Joe Rothwell.
It remains to be seen whether this trio can make an impact at Ibrox, but bringing in those who can play to the required style is a massive boost.
There are still two months left of the window, meaning Martin will have plenty of time to move people on and bring in more signings to the Light Blues.
The team finished trophyless last season, the second time in three years this has occurred. Ultimately, it is down to the squad of players.
Yes, there may be some standout individuals. Nicolas Raskin and Hamza Igamane spring to mind from the 2024/25 campaign, but the sheer lack of depth across several positions is worrying.
At the time of writing, there is only one right-winger in the first-team squad, while the defensive options aren’t looking healthy at all.
Some more centre-backs and wingers would be nice, that’s for sure. Here’s what Rangers’ dream squad could look like if everything goes according to plan this summer.
The goalkeepers
Jack Butland may have enjoyed a decent enough debut campaign during 2023/24, but last season, the Englishman was well below the required standard.
He kept just 14 clean sheets across 44 matches for the Ibrox side in all competitions, conceding 51 goals in the process.
Liam Kelly did manage to play 13 games for the club last term, conceding 13 times and keeping five clean sheets. Academy graduate Kieran Wright has signed a one-year extension, and he will provide cover for those two throughout the campaign.
There haven’t been any links to potential new goalkeepers this summer, and it remains to be seen whether or not Martin wishes to bring in someone else in this position.
Full list of goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Liam Kelly and Kieran Wright
The defenders
The defence is a priority area which Martin must improve on ahead of next season, especially at centre-back.
Last year, the Gers conceded a staggering 71 goals across 58 matches in all competitions, which works out as 1.2 goals conceded every match.
Fernandez has joined from Peterborough as mentioned, while Leicester City defender Conor Coady – who is valued at £3m by Football Transfers – has been linked with a move north of the border this summer.
Robin Propper has been linked with a move away from Rangers, with a return to his former club, FC Twente, reportedly on the cards ahead of next season.
Elsewhere, Ben Davies is attracting interest from Birmingham, where he spent last season on loan. Moving the Englishman on would be a good piece of business by Martin, especially as it would free up £27k-per-week in the wage budget.
John Souttar and Leon King look set to remain at Ibrox, while Clinton Nsiala has a bright future ahead of him, but he will need more chances to prove his worth under Martin.
James Tavernier will have some competition at right-back, as Aarons will be keen to play on a regular basis. Dujon Sterling will also provide cover in this position, although he can deputise at left-back or even in the midfield if Martin is short of options.
On the left side of defence, Ridvan Yilmaz and Jefte will battle it out for the position. Robbie Fraser is an exciting talent who will be ready to pounce on any opportunities should either of the two get injured throughout the season.
Full list of centre-backs: John Souttar, Emmanuel Fernandez, Leon King, Clinton Nsiala and Conor Coady.
Full list of right-backs: James Tavernier, Dujon Sterling and Max Aarons.
Full list of left-backs: Ridvan Yilmaz, Jefte and Robbie Fraser.
The midfielders
Midfield is where the most business looks likely to be conducted. Rothwell has already joined, and he will provide competition for both Nicolas Raskin and Mohammed Diomande. While youngster Bailey Rice is hoping that this season could be his breakout one.
The pair have attracted plenty of attention due to their performances last term, but Martin will be hopeful that they remain in Glasgow for the 2025/26 campaign.
Indeed, Leeds United and Aston Villa are both eyeing up a move for the Belgian international midfielder. He has a contract running until 2027, but another year at Ibrox would stand him in good stead for the 2026 World Cup.
Diomande is the subject of a big money offer from Besiktas. The bid is in the region of £8.6-10.2million, but this is nowhere near the true valuation of the Ivorian.
The 23-year-old recorded 15 goal contributions – six goals and nine assists – last season and his performances have clearly attracted some admirers.
Martin will be looking to build the team around him and Raskin next season, especially as the duo will only continue to get better and better.
Should big offers arrive, however, might they be too good to turn down? Only time will tell.
It is in the attacking midfield area where Martin must bring in someone exceptional. Thelo Aasgaard has been linked with a move to Ibrox, and he could cost up to £5m from Luton Town.
The Norwegian international scored an impressive tally of 14 goals last season across spells at Wigan and Luton, and he could be the player who finally embraces the attacking midfield role at Rangers.
Last summer, Philippe Clement paid over the odds to bring Nedim Bajrami to Rangers under the impression that he could take the club to the next level.
Despite a few solid displays during the first half of the campaign, including a goal against Celtic in the League Cup final, he largely struggled at the club.
Unless an offer comes in, he will be part of the squad this term. Lyall Cameron joined from Dundee and his presence could be interesting, especially after the year he had on Tayside.
He scored 14 times and grabbed nine assists for Dundee, helping them avoid relegation and the Scot deserves a chance to showcase his abilities at Ibrox.
Full list of midfielders: Nicolas Raskin, Bailey Rice, Joe Rothwell, Mohammed Diomande, Lyall Cameron, Thelo Aasgaard, Nedim Bajrami.
The forwards
This is an area which Martin must look to get spot on ahead of next season, no doubt about that.
Ross McCausland is the only option on the right flank and this must change sooner rather than later. Bournemouth winger David Brooks – who has been hailed as “sublime” in the past by former boss Eddie Howe – is a reported transfer target for Martin.
The winger scored twice in the Premier League last season and at 27, he still has plenty to offer, especially by making a move north of the border.
On the left wing, Oscar Cortes will be looking for a clean slate under Martin, as injuries have hampered his Ibrox career since first joining on a loan deal in January 2024.
Rangers made this permanent ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but in total, the Colombian winger has played only 18 times for the Ibrox side in 18 months.
Elsewhere, Rabbi Matondo returned from his Bundesliga loan spell, but it remains to be seen whether Martin will give him another chance in the first-team squad.
It is the centre-forward area which has been talked about the most. Cyriel Dessers looked like he was joining AEK Athens, but the two clubs have stalled on a transfer fee.
Martin will be looking to ship out the Nigerian striker though, especially as this sale could fund other signings.
Hamza Igamane also looks to be on his way out of Ibrox, as Lille have shown interest and it was reported that the player had agreed personal terms on an exit.
This would leave Danilo as the club’s only senior centre-forward heading into the new season. That is unless Martin gets his way with a couple of strikers he has shown plenty of interest in.
Dor Turgeman is available for a fee of around £5m and he would instantly improve the side. He scored 20 goals and registered six assists for his club last season.
Furthermore, the Gers are also keen on Croatian striker Matija Frigan, although he could cost £6.5m this summer.
While this is a significant fee, if Martin can move on Dessers and Igamane in the coming weeks, around £20m could be raised, which would fund moves for those two targets.
There would be change left over and this should be spent trying to improve his wide options. Starting a Champions League qualifier with McCausland as the starting right-winger is certainly a recipe for disaster.
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