Rangers’ work in this window has impressed most bluenoses if not all, while suitably irritating enough of Scotland’s media to contrive negative stories about transfers from two years ago, not to mention rival clubs’ comical ire over our ‘disgraceful’ business conduct.
If they all hate you, slur you and complain about you constantly, you know you are doing something right and Rangers are doing plenty right.
And over the next 24 hours it appears our pursuit of Hamilton’s Greg Docherty is to reach a happy conclusion as reportedly Rangers’ bosses are to bid more in line of what Martin Canning’s lot want for their star midfielder. The likelihood is the future Scotland international will be dapper in Light Blue by the end of the week.
However, while Jason Cummings was arguably the missing piece of the attacking jigsaw, there is a strong case that young Docherty is set to fulfil one of the last remaining pieces of the overall puzzle – the dynamic, powerhouse midfielder who can spray a pass, tackle, and defend in equal measure.
It is arguable that Rangers lack a player who can truly do all of these to a high level, instead having plenty who can do parts of it.
No, Docherty appears to be an incredibly shrewd investment, and as Rangers’ first ‘new’ permanent signing of the winter window chances are slim that he will be anything other than a first team pick.
Is he the final piece of the Rangers jigsaw? Well there will still be a vacancy for that aforementioned ‘Barry Ferguson’ type. Great player though Docherty is, we are not entirely convinced he is a leader type, nor capable of dictating play through the middle by himself.
But Docherty will still fill a massive gap – Jason Holt, bless ‘im, tries honestly to fulfil that kind of role, but simply is not good enough to be a first-team starter. Graham Dorrans has as yet failed to truly live up to expectations and is out injured for another two or three months anyway so that is a moot point, while Ross McCrorie is being moulded into a defensive midfielder and while impressing there, he too is currently injured.
We look forward to Greg joining up over the next few days; Rangers have lacked physical players for too long and he is certainly vibrant in that area, and if he realises the potential he has he will be a Scotland regular before too long.
It does not complete the team absolutely as there is always room for improvement, but while Rangers do lack aforementioned midfield dictator the majority of the rest of the XI is pretty much set now.
Everything will be in place – over time the final step is simply improving each position till it is fully at Rangers’ level, but what we appear to have is certainly moving in that direction.
It is a real start.
What do you mean Dorrans has yet failed to live up to expectations? He was on form before his injury or do you to tend to forget these things after a little while. Was it not 4 in his last 5 games or something. Try and not put players on a pedestal before they even arrive, then let them do there talking on the pitch. Docherty has potential the same as Cummings time will tell soon enough.. I hope you give them the same amount of time as you do the foreign boy's…
Hi Bawbag,
I think you made our point for us. 3-5 good games is probably not quite the expectations anyone had when he signed. Hopefully he picks back up when he returns. We do rate him highly though and see him as one of our best players when on form.
Scored a double on his debut can’t ask for more than that. You must remember he was playing in a holding role almost as him and Jack took a bit of getting used too. Aye he went aff the boil because of that and Peds tactics I suppose.
Murty will get the best out of him that I’m certain. Injury came at a bad time as his form was improving greatly. That said he’s not the same player as he was with WBA so go easy a wee bit that’s all…
I still beleive steven davis is the barry ferguson type you mention.A top class RB for me as tav would be more effective with cover depending team formation, perfect when playing 352 or 442.
A think with Cummings signing and Morelos form we've got to play them up front together so apart from games say against them and pitodrie we gotta play 3 at back " Wilson is left footed and martin has played many times at right back so comfortable on that side I'd have mcrorie n middle or alves if he gets back to first month form""" obviously still gonna have headache to pick 5 n midfield Tav/candaias on right John/Murphy on left ??? Then midfield 3 but what a difference this window has made to our options all look quality choices only can be great news for us
Hopefully Docherty will be a success. But too early to call him great. Since Warburton took over we have been too lightweight in midfield. But with Jack and Doran’s we were beginning to get it right. But with their injuries, added to that of Rossiter we were going backwards. McCrorie is not the answer , he will become a top centre back. Windlass is out of position on left so I think we are doing right thing but it is early days. Look at our injuries, added to refs disgraceful vendetta against Jack. We are getting there. But it is work in progress. Loans with right to buy seems like good business to me. Not signing Naismith is a good decision. Like Kranjar he was a class player but at 31 he is too old and injury prone. Next 4 months will tell. They won’t all be successful but if we can clinch 2nd place we can make judgements on manager and players and go into summer window with strength. On a separate matter I cannot get my head round the 3 match ban on Jack when he won the ball and nothing happened to the Motherwell player who took out Jack and received no punishment and Murty agreed with ref. on Motherwell incident. Look at the tackles in isolation.Disgraceful.
Aggre with a fair chunk of what you’ve said above Alan. I’m still scratching my head at the Jack ban too, it was never a red May pulled out of the tackle beforehand. In any contact sport you don’t go in 100% every chance you get hurt period.. Jack ain’t a dirty player like some have said on here before…Refs defo got him a marked man… Think the second half of the season will be tasty it’s all to play for… That mob are there to be beaten 🔴⚪️🔵
A good signing and will get better but I don’t know why we want that Bournemouth player back.
I'm pleased with our January business. Remember it is notoriously difficult to get good value for money this time of year.
I would look to add one really strong player in the summer, either at CB or CM. For me, it has to be John McGinn. I know his family would be against it but hasn't stopped others in the past. Push the boat out for him, 3m-4m if need be.
Whatever money is left, spend on a RB, CB and GK and I reckon we could challenge for title next year
Agreed…
We should do whatever it takes to get McGinn to Ibrox. The Lad is top quality 👌
McGinn…
Future Scotland Captain
Like a Scottish Paul Scholes
We need to stop talking about it and just get the deal done!
£600k for Docherty
Pre-Contract for Roberts
Etc
Comments are closed.