Following Chris Jack’s update on Rangers’ transfer plans, Philippe Clement may be forced to bench a number of players in January to make room for new arrivals.
After spending slightly less than £15 million in the summer under Michael Beale, the Gers will be eager to bolster their roster once more in January. The season began unevenly, with the Englishman being fired and Clement experiencing a dramatic comeback at Ibrox in a short period of time.
And as of November 20, Rangers Review writer Chris Jack reported that the team intends to give priority to acquiring a central striker and right-sided forward.
Jack stated: “Despite the sums that were spent to add options from middle to front over the summer, a right-sided forward and a central striker seem like priority positions that need to be filled for Rangers.”
The team would have greater balance and natural width with a direct, quick attacker who carries a goal threat and resembles Abdallah Sima on the opposite flank.
Rangers need a consistent goal source to support Danilo in the middle, especially since Cyriel Dessers and Kemar Roofe aren’t reliable in terms of form or fitness, respectively.
Clement deserves a great deal of credit for bringing the Rangers camp back together and on the right track after a turbulent and uncertain period in the latter stages of Beale’s reign at Ibrox.
The Belgian has led the team to six victories and one tie in his first seven games in charge, suggesting a dramatic turnaround for the team so quickly.
Despite the fantastic start under his direction, that doesn’t mean Clement won’t have one eye on the transfer window and the opportunity to mould this squad into his vision.
Every Rangers player will be looking to impress the Belgian and guarantee they have a future under his management from now until the January transfer window reopens.
A number of Ibrox players will be placed on notice for their immediate futures, while others will be looking to make an impression.
Nothing is guaranteed. In January, Clement will have the money to sign the players he desires [Chris Jack, October 14]. This implies that he might try to oust several stars in order to finance his revolutionary new venture.
Clement will believe the club can listen to offers for fringe players like goalkeepers Robby McCrorie and Jon McLaughlin, John Souttar, Dujon Sterling—who has become somewhat of a forgotten commodity since his summer move—Scott Wright, Kemar Roofe, and a few others.
With the exception of Danilo and Sima, Rangers’ summer acquisitions for attacking roles have all failed to live up to expectations thus far, with players like Sam Lammers and Dessers finding it difficult to make regular contributions in the closing third of the game.
Both Clement and Beale have found it challenging to fill the right-wing position; as the Belgian tries to find a balance with his team, the most recent two players to be used out wide are Todd Cantwell and Ross McCausland.
Not only does the attack require attention, but the midfield and centre of defence also do, but in order to make that happen, a number of Rangers players will have to leave the team. January may prove to be yet another crucial month for Ibrox’s near future, one that defines the remainder of the campaign.
