Scottish giants Rangers are preparing for another tough season ahead, seeking to not only make a mark domestically but also in Europe. The Glasgow side is in preseason and one of its top engagements was a friendly match against Newcastle United.
That ended in a 2-1 loss but the Gers will be more interested in the lessons taken rather than the result from the match. As they shape up for the season ahead, manager Michael Beale has to deal with how his squad for the campaign will look like. There are expected ins and outs and that is where the most attention at the moment will be directed. Beale has already signed a player expected to be key for the team next season, in Sam Lammers. The Dutchman joins from Sampdoria where he played for just one season, on loan from Atalanta. A striker, the 26 year old showed his mettle by scoring his first goal for Rangers in the friendly loss to Newcastle United. With considerable experience, having played in the Netherlands at PSV and Heerenveen then moving to Italy and Germany to join Atalanta then Eintracht Frankfurt his experience should be crucial for Beale’s side and we expect impressive reviews on him at Cheeky Punter.
Danilo Pereira
Rangers seem to have fallen in love with the Dutch. One of the top targets in the transfer market for Rangers is Feyenoord forward Danilo Pereira da Silva. The Brazilian happens to be the biggest summer target and as it has already proven, it will take a substantial figure, and effort to bring him on board. Rangers have already had a bid for the 24 year old rejected by the Eredivisie side but are reportedly working on a second, improved offer. Rising from the Ajax U19 team, Danilo has proven he can do well at the big stage and is a three-time winner of the Dutch league title. He has twice hit 10 plus goals in the Eredivisie and Beale feels he can be a good addition for him. “He’s a player we like. I think a lot of people like him. He’s not the only forward we’re talking to – that seems to be the one that’s been let out. It’s been more public, but there’s no news on it,” Beale said. From 34 matches last season, 20 of them starts, Danilo netted 10 times in the league.
Jose Cifuentes
Another player on Rangers’ radar is Ecuadorian midfielder, Jose Cifuentes, who is at the moment attached to Major League Soccer side, Los Angeles FC. Cifuentes, 24, is a creative mind and has good numbers in goal contributions too, and Beale feels he can be a top addition for Rangers in planning for the coming season. As Beale admitted there are a few deals they are chasing after the signing of Lammers, Cifuentes’ name came up. The manager acknowledged this is a player he likes and hopes space can be created for him in the team. If this happens, it will be Cifuentes’ first taste of football outside the Americas.