How could a new-look Rangers line up next season?

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How could a new-look Rangers line up next season?

With the potential capture of striker Joseph Dodoo on the agenda, plus Mark Warburton’s summer work in general nearing its conclusion, Rangers will have a significantly new feel about them next season.

While defender Oguchi Onyewu did not impress enough on trial in America to win a deal, plenty of new recruits have otherwise arrived in Govan keen to fight Celtic to the title next season.

Warburton has admitted a CB remains on the agenda, along with aforementioned striking vacancy, but what will a potential new-look Rangers now shape up as come the new season?

Obviously before labelling this as ‘Rangers’ new team’ it is important to point out existing talent like Jason Holt and Martyn Waghorn have not suddenly just lost their places, and gave so much last season to merit playing a big role this season; but like everyone else it is a blank slate and a higher level than 2015/2016 was, hence the new signings and the validity of seeing what a brand new Rangers XI may well look like.

Disclaimer: the following content contains conjecture.

So, without further ado:

Goalkeeper:

Matt Gilks:

Surprising to say this but Wes Foderingham seems to be losing more and more popularity with Rangers fans right now, and far from impressed in South Carolina. Widely regarded as a weak link last season, the former Swindon stopper may well find himself fighting with the Scotland cap who looked infinitely more assured during his 45-minute cameo, despite the bizarre goal Rangers’ hosts managed.

RB:

Lee Hodson:

A 13-time Northern Ireland cap, Hodson is being touted as cover, but with doubts over established RB James Tavernier’s future cropping up in recent days not to mention his defensive failings, the former Killie full back may find himself a first choice under Mark Warburton.

CB:

Clint Hill:

While not exactly superb at the Battery, Hill showed enough that he should certainly be no flop. Experience, wisdom, leadership plus the ability to get stuck in, Rangers desperately need his guidance at the back.

CB:

Danny Wilson:

This was a hard choice; between Wilson, Kiernan and Crooks (for now) but I opted for Wilson such is his age and experience. Young enough to improve and learn, experienced enough at UCL, EPL and SPL levels to suggest he is good enough (if his head is screwed on correctly) for a stint at Scotland’s top flight.

LB:

Lee Wallace:

What more needs said?

Midfield:

Joey Barton:

You just do not sign a player of Barton’s calibre not to play him. A titan in England’s Championship last season, as well as time spent in some of Europe’s best leagues, Barton is a big-time player with bags of experience and ability, and unless he is a bewildering flop or suffers injury, he will be a sure-fire starter when available.

Jordan Rossiter:

Look at this piece to understand why Rossiter is more than good enough for the SPL – and a partnership with the experienced campaigner Barton could bring Jordan’s level up even higher. This is a midfield engine room to be excited by.

Niko Kranjcar:

Again, you do not sign an 82-times Croatia cap unless you intend to play him. The attacking midfielder was a stunning capture, with plenty of experience at the highest levels, and with age still on his side, McParland and Warburton did a brilliant job persuading him to give up the sun of USA for the drizzle of Govan.

Attack:

Barrie McKay:

He just cannot be dropped. Absolutely stellar last season, and Rangers could bring in Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese would struggle to shift the newly-capped international. He has earned his place and will surely keep it come the new campaign – but plenty of top competition will ensure he continues to earn it.

Joseph Dodoo:

From the videos we have seen, he has pace, power, strength, and a very clinical finish. With top-flight experience under his belt in England, Dodoo would be a very nice signing to compliment Rangers’ existing ranks, and while the deal is not secured yet, it looks a goer.

Michael O’Halloran:

Rangers paid £500,000 for the St Johnstone winger – Mark Warburton will absolutely be looking for a return on that and if his second half display in Charleston was anything to go by (yeah yeah ‘it was a friendly’) he looked every inch the MOH Rangers signed rather than the slightly underwhelming one he disappointingly became. Make no mistake, an on-form O’Halloran is a heck of a weapon, and one Rangers may use a lot this season.

Ok, this is where you readers cry in unison:

“Where’s Harry Forrester/Josh Windass/Andy Halliday/Jason Holt/Martyn Waghorn/Kenny Miller/James Tavernier/Matt Crooks/delete as appropriate?”

The point of this piece was one possible new team Rangers could well field next season, as opposed to a strict criticism of existing players. No one, I repeat no one will agree with my selection, and few Bears will even agree with each other on who Rangers’ best XI will actually be. For example, I could happily switch Kranjcar with Forrester and O’Halloran with Windass and the first team would be no weaker for it. There is no ‘one’ best team, and that is the point of Warburton acquiring so much depth and talent to boost the squad for next season.

However, for the fun of it, feel free to reply in the comments with your own preferred XIs and we will see how much we all differ.

It is a nice problem to have, I am sure you will agree.

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33 COMMENTS

  1. Bit of a contradiction in saying that McKay cannot be dropped then not choosing Holt, who arguably contributed as much, if not more than McKay did last season. Agree it is all about squad strength and we might not necessarily have a 'first choice' eleven at all.

    • Need to get a proven striker in for fuck sakes. No some cunt that has played 7 fucking games at the age of 21. Need to get it sorted pronto. Young lad Dodoo might have potential but I hope tae fuck that we are after another striker.

    • Totally agree holt was 1 of the better players last season. Should be the first 1 on the team sheet every week.

    • Jason Holt was our best player last year, Shame his pal Andy Haliday might not feature as much this year but on the upside it's because we have more quality in our engine room, so on wards and upwards for the teddy bears…. And it's obv going the other way for our city rivals…. Quote of the day….. The Imps beat the Gimps, my love for Gibraltar grows and grows 🙂

  2. The centre of defence remains our Achilles heel. Hill is too old and Wilson cannae jump. I'm also not convinced with the Dodoo lad. If we can add some steel and quality to these areas we can challenge for the title, but we may have to spend some money to do so, if not I honestly don't think we will take the title.

    • "Hill is too old" says someone who hasn't seen him play what so ever, bar maybe on Championship Highlights programme… Kenny Miller is a year younger than Hill and look what he did last year. Absolutely idiotic to judge someone based on age.

  3. I suspect that it will be horses for courses next season and that the manager will use his squad to maximum effect. From the names mentioned the only four that I expect will be certain starters will be Kranjcer, Barton, Wallace and Rossiter. Everyone else will be fighting for their place and one or two poor performances could see someone else walking into their position. I do not believe that Lee Hodson or Clint Hill will be in the initial starting eleven although Tavernier will certainly need to improve the defensive side of his game. I am still expecting Warburton to sign another centre back and that could see both Wilson and Kiernan playing fewer games together unless their is a significant improvement in their game from last season. Up front, McKay will need to show the quality that we saw against Celtic on a consistent basis or others will take his place and I would really expect to see Forrester in there instead of O'Halloran. One thing is for sure, Holt, Halliday and Waghorn will not give up their place without a fight and Windass will expect to start. All in all an exciting season lies ahead and on paper at least we really should have a squad that is good enough to win the league. One thing is for sure, we must hit the ground running and there can be no place for losers!

    • Tav was exhausted at times last year having cover will help keep our 2st team starters fresh

  4. I think your spot on, certainly on the keeper. what strength in depth we now have, a vast improvement from last season where were tied to the same 11 (almost) with the same subs and same formation. this depth lets us mix up the formation a bit so gives us more dimension and options – Cant for the games to begin.

  5. yep you could pick 3 or 4 different teams and they would all be good but a don't think he will go with hill Wilson a know hill could play right side but no you could rotate them that's what a would do lets say we play 50 games 25 each no bad for a guy that's 37 but hears my team ….Gilks, Wallace, Hill, Crooks, tavs, Rossiter, Barton, Forrester, Mckay, O'hallaran, Waghorn, bench, Foderingham, Wilson, Halliday, Kranjcar, Windass, Miller, Dodoo. res Kiernan, Hodson, Holt,and kids + new CB in Crooks spot, what a team fit young hungry

  6. Its all about keeping your position when u get it.knowing theres someone as good as you waiting to step in,will squeeze another 10% out of your performance.its called keeping everyone on there toes.which gets the best out of teams.

  7. Been a while since we could argue about best line up. We will need them all and possibly more to challenge that lot that the Gibraltar Chimps lost to. They'll spend some money soon enough. We'll be up against a better team than that!

  8. I do feel that we owe last seasons squad loyalty, but the new signings seemed to have raised the level, it will be interesting to see how they react, it would be a real shame if any of them get squeezed out, but we must improve season by season. Here is my starting 11,

    Gilks

    Tavernier
    Kiernan
    Hill
    Wallace

    Holt
    Barton
    Krancjar

    O'Halloran
    Waghorn
    McKay

    • who cares about the guys spelling no one likes a smart ass, we are hear talk about football you think you're fucking teacher checking every one's spelling, you're no as smart as you think you're just a dick

  9. Halliday Jason Holt. Why?? Barry McKay was posted missing in cup final.Barry McKay will get found out trust me. Halliday and Holt were consistant.

    • you're talking crap Barry Mckay was the best player in Scotland last season scored wonder goals against celtic and hibs, there was about 50 games last season but you know what a hate is people that judge players of 1 game the cup final ye know there was 49 games b4 that game where he was class, Halliday and Holt will never be as good as Mckay simple as that

  10. Gilks

    Tav
    Kiernan
    Crooks
    Wallace

    Barton
    Holt
    Rossiter

    Mckay
    Kranjcar
    Waghorn

    Subs

    Forderingham
    Halliday
    Windass
    Wilson
    Miller
    Hill
    Hodson

  11. I'd like to see Hardie given a run. With the new midfield slotting passes through I think he could score a bundle. McKay and O'Halloran on the wings also a bonus. Hardie has a terrific attitude, fast and a proven goalscorer. Very intent on going for goal, something that was missing last year in many games.

  12. Also think Hardie is worthy of a starting place, he looks every bit as dangerous up front than anyone else we have had in years. In saying that, I think we need a big target guy that can also score goals………..

  13. I really don't know yet about our starting eleven but it's a nice dilemma isn't it. Last season you had a good idea of the team every week. Different this year the boy's crooks and windass aren't coming up hear to sit on the bench same as rossiter but they have to prove themselves but I honestly think these boys are the real deal. I don't rate o'halloran that highly just hope he proves me wrong. Either way this is the most I've looked forward to a new season in donkeys years. We finally have a team and manager be proud of w.a.t.p.

  14. Big Wes
    Tav
    Kiernan (possibly big Matt Crooks but aparentky he can play anywhere)
    Wilson
    Wallace
    Barton
    Holt
    Niko/windass/Rossiter (depending form and opposition
    MoH
    Waghorn (but I'd prefer to see him wide)
    McKay

    The squad will defo get used but prob not to the extent ppl think the main core players will b our full backs and Barton Holt….. But I have forgot all about Harry Forrester (I know how could I) but the jury is out, so many untested at this level also a lot of new signings who need to settle but let's face it…. We are the people! We are rangers…. Super Rangers no one likes us we don't care!!

  15. Me I will just leave it to the boss but I do think we require another 4 players to get us through the season.
    When U do get your chance U better grasp it and don't let go!!

  16. Foderingham
    Tavernier
    Kiernan
    Hill
    Wallace
    Barton
    Rossiter
    Waghorn
    Niko kranjkar
    McKay
    Preferably new class striker bt failing that windass or ohalleron

  17. My team would be!!!!
    Goram
    Jardine, Gough, Greig, VanBronckhorst.
    Steven, Gasgoine, Albertz
    Laudrup, McCoist Cooper.

    Let's not get carried away, we still have a way to go!! But with belief, luck and success, how many of the current squad can make the next generation's list??

  18. My team would be!!!
    Goram
    Jardine,Gough,Greig,VanBronckhorst
    Steven,Gasgoine,Albertz
    Laudrup,McCoist,Cooper.

    Let's not get carried away, we still have away to go. So my challenge to the current squad is to Be the Heroes of the Next Generation

  19. Wes
    Tav
    Crooks
    Wilson
    Wallace
    Barton (Def mid)
    Windass
    Forrester
    Mckay
    Waghorn
    O'halloran

    That's just one of the many starting 11 I have in my head, it's great that we have the luxury of choice now but more will become clear when we see how they are performing after a month then I'm sure warbs will have the a tarting 11 cemented

  20. The team v Motherwell will be restricted by injuries , lack of training time and international calls .So it will be mostly last years team ,Fods ,Tav , Kiernan , Wilson Wallace , Holt , Barton ,Halliday , Windass , Waghorn ,McKay .Then it will be up to them to keep their places and others to fight their way in .What a great problem to have.

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