With the window nearly done and it looking like, for now, Rangers will secure two midfielders and a right winger (in theory anyway), where does January’s work leave the squad as a whole?
Well, Michael Beale has suggested clearly that he’s happy with the goalkeeping situation, and that he believes he has three excellent goalies. We disagree on one count, and one of them is past it, and the other untested… but he’s content.
In defence, it gets interesting. As far as fullback goes, aside Anderlecht’s Noah Sadiki being linked, James Tavernier, Borna Barisic and Adam Devine are our full compliment, with the hope Turkey’s Ridvan Yilmaz will be fit soon. But in the middle?
It’s James Sands, Leon King, and of course Connor Goldson and Ben Davies. In reserve trying to get fit are John Souttar and Filip Helander. Michael Beale is clearly counting on both of them to return soon and provide options, rather than signing anyone.
In midfield, again James Sands shows up, but he’s just a fringe man now, and his loan ends in the summer. It’s John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, wantaway Glen Kamara and potentially the new men of Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin. Steven Davis may possibly never play again for the side, but Scott Arfield is still around, and so is Malik Tillman, until his loan expires when Sands’ does.
Then there’s the attacking areas. On the left we have Ryan Kent, Scott Wright, on the right it’s Fashion Sakala, possibly Morgan Whittaker, and when he’s fit, Kemar Roofe. We’re no longer really counting Rabbi Matondo as a serious option. In the middle? Alex Lowry doesn’t seem to get too many minutes but he’s there, and of course we have two big returning men in Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence, but the prognosis for both of them is tentative, and in one case it’s grim.
Up front? Alfredo Morelos, Antonio Colak (currently injured still) and Zak Lovelace.
Meaning, as of now (injured in brackets, new signings in square)
Goals: Allan McGregor, Jon McLaughlin, (Robby McCrorie).
Fullbacks: James Tavernier, Adam Devine, Borna Barisic, (Ridvan Yilmaz)
Defence: Leon King, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies, (John Souttar), (Filip Helander).
Midfield: John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara, (Steven Davis), [Todd Cantwell], [Nicolas Raskin].
Forward midfield: Scott Arfield, Malik Tillman, Alex Lowry, (Ianis Hagi), (Tom Lawrence).
Wings: Ryan Kent, Scott Wright, Fashion Sakala, Rabbi Matondo, (Kemar Roofe), [Morgan Whittaker]
Striker: Alfredo Morelos, Zak Lovelace, (Antonio Colak)
We have 20 fit players right now, 9 injured (we think) and three new signings.
It’s alright for the moment, and we are getting the results despite it. But that’s pretty much the state of play for Rangers’ squad.
Good enough?
if we get the three in it’s a good start but the real work will happen in the summer I’d expect at least 6 out/in the squad is still not strong enough to catch that mob but if we can avoid injuries I don’t think we will finish off much more points behind them as it stands now.if we can add a cup or two it’s a sign of progress.
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