A possible starting XI next season – is it good enough?

With Rangers capturing Bruno Alves and closing in on Graham Dorrans and Carlos Pena,, the squad for next season begins to take some sort of shape. While it is still obviously at an embryonic stage, nevertheless we can begin to look at what kind of an XI Rangers fans can expect to see. It is naturally subject to lots of change, but based on what looks possible and what does not, we can start to compile a realistic starting team for next season’s campaign.

Goal:

It remains Wes – no interest in signing a new keeper as far as we know, and we are led to believe Alnwick will remain his number two.

Back four:

Unless something happens, James Tavernier looks like he will remain at RB. What you think of that is up to you. It could be Lee Hodson but no one at Ibrox seems to favour him much. In the middle it seems to be Bruno Alves and supposedly Fabio Cardoso, but the latter appears closer to West Brom than Ibrox. Problem position this as the preferred partner otherwise, Danny Wilson, is out till August with injury, so unless David Bates is the solution, here lies a bit of an issue. At LB easy enough – Lee Wallace.

Midfield:

Ryan Jack is a shoe in for a major berth in midfield. Pedro made a big deal of securing him – he will not ditch him to the bench. Jordan Rossiter is said to finally be over his injury problems and could be massive for Caixinha – like a new signing. The same applies to Niko Kranjcar. We also have Jamie Walker who has formally asked to leave Hearts, while Graham Dorrans can play anywhere in the middle or final third. Not forgetting Mexico’s Carlos Pena either, which appears to be a deal close to completion.

Attack:

Nothing much has really happened with regard new striking talent yet – Benfica’s Dalcio has been heavily linked as a loan deal but beyond that, and the strange Naismith story, there has been a lack of quality players touted. For now, beyond the Portuguese lad, it is as we were up front.

So, a possible Ibrox Noise projection of a decent starting XI next season?

Rangers: (4-4-2)

Foderingham; Tavernier, Alves, Cardoso, Wallace; Jack, Rossiter, Pena, Dorrans; Dalcio, Miller

Bench:

Alnwick, Hodson, Wilson, Holt, Walker, Kranjcar, Dodoo

Early days but is it good enough?