There’s been a lot of debate about ‘what Rangers actually need’ player-wise, and with uncertainty at left back certainly a topic for concern, Ibrox Noise looks at where we’re not the strongest and what definitely needs bettered.

Goals obviously is fine.

Defence, aside the uncertainty on the left, is, bizarrely, actually ok. Soft-centred we may be, and perhaps one new alpha stopper would be preferable, but as things stand James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun, John Souttar and Borna Barisic is Scotland’s best defence. Statistically-speaking. We would like to see a big new lad in there too, but for now, it’s not that important.

Midfield is also fine. John Lundstram needs his extension, and Dujon Sterling is outstanding at the moment. These two need wrapped in cotton wool. Nico Raskin is well-away from form and has been for over half a year, while Ryan Jack is good but amazingly unreliable. Jose Cifuentes probably deserves more minutes. We don’t see critical urgent work needed there either.

It’s in attack all the surgery is critically required.

There’s not a single player in the attacking quadrant who is shining. Ibrox Noise goes through this lot one-by-one:

Cantwell: Just hasn’t done it this season. It’s not more complicated. His former £40M value is way down, and he lacks the sparkle he had. Clement doesn’t seem to overly like him either. We don’t much either any more.

Lammers: gone, but was absolutely horrific.

Sima: Gone to Africa but probably won’t play there, and while prolific with the goals domestically, he’s abysmal everywhere else. He’s not a winger.

Lawrence: Injured on and off. He’s now fit again but how long before another break down or before he gets match fit?

Roofe: Do we need to say more?

McCausland: Well-rated by supportive and generous fans but shown not a lot to prove he’s anywhere near Rangers standard. He’s not assisting and doesn’t create a lot. Hard worker but a long way short of the quality we need as things stand. Hopefully he improves sharpish.

Matondo: 18 months in we’re still waiting on the £3M winger we signed. Shows occasional glimpses but lacks any consistency.

Dessers: Fans can’t stand him, frankly, no matter how many assists or goals he gets. He will never be popular.

Silva: A long, long, long way from convincing so far.

Danilo: Who knows when he’ll be back?

So, based on all this, Rangers do need surgery. Obviously we can’t replace everyone there, but….

A number of weeks ago Ibrox Noise explained a new striker and a new winger were badly-needed. We were told by a bunch of fans who knew a lot better than us that we did not need any wingers. These days that’s much changed to the same fans preaching how much we need wingers.

And yes, a pro striker. We’ve far from convinced by Silva.

So, all in all:

Desirable:

New centre-back, left-footed.

Central midfielder.

Must:

Winger, striker, and left back if Ridvan goes.

Rangers are not as far behind Celtic as some think, maybe including Ibrox Noise now and again. A few quality signings this window and it will improve the picture a lot.

But how likely are they?