There is just one week left until the January transfer window closes, and Rangers still need to address a few critical problems in Philippe Clement’s team. At the beginning of the month, the Gers recruited Fabio Silva on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers; but, they have not made any other acquisitions.
However, they may have a busy seven days ahead of them given their specific need to recruit a new left-back, as a fresh target is apparently coming to light.
Rangers’ issue at left back
Although it’s simple to concentrate on Rangers’ offensive problems, particularly in light of Abdallah Sima’s devastating long-term injury, Clement and company should be focusing on adding a new left-back this month. Right now, the only players the Gers have available are Borna Barisic and Ridvan Yilmaz, the latter of whom is expected to depart this summer when his contract expires and the former of whom’s future is uncertain. If all goes wrong, Rangers won’t have a single left-back available by the end of the season, so this would be the perfect opportunity to take action.
The Scottish powerhouses were linked to players like David Jurasek and Cameron Pring during the winter transfer window, but it now appears that they are looking elsewhere for a new left-back. Rangers are reportedly considering a “deadline beating” attempt to acquire Luke Thomas, according to The Daily Mail via Rangers News. The Leicester City full-back’s loan at Sheffield United, a Premier League team, was terminated. Now that he was back at the Foxes, he could still try to get out.
Thomas’ Premier League experience would undoubtedly end Clement’s left-back problems, but it’s unclear if Rangers will take their interest seriously enough to make a bid to sign the defender before the end of the month.
“Brilliant” Thomas knows how to fix Clement’s issue.
Although Thomas is still only 22 years old, if Rangers make a play for the Leicester man this month, he can give Clement a long-term answer to his left-back dilemma. Thomas himself could also benefit from the relocation. He only started 11 games for Sheffield United and found it difficult to create an impression. Now, he needs the fresh start that the Scottish Premiership may provide.
Since Brendan Rodgers of Celtic worked with Thomas at Leicester previously, he is undoubtedly well-versed in the talent that his rivals may acquire. Even though the 22-year-old missed a penalty in a 2021 Carabao Cup match against Liverpool, Rodgers is one of the people who have lauded the player. “I told him afterwards that he was brilliant during the game,” he stated to The Leicester Mercury.
“He’s growing up so nicely. For him, it’s yet another amazing experience. As is always the case at Anfield, the atmosphere was fantastic. It was an excellent game. While it was unfortunate that he missed the penalty, he played a fantastic game. He’s a resilient young man who will move on.
In a great development for the Scottish Premiership, Clement and Rangers may now profit from the Celtic manager’s early efforts with his newest left-back target.
