If one thing is beyond doubt, it’s that Rangers have been shopping in the bargain bin for too long, spending big money on players who really weren’t great targeting.
We’re not saying that’s changed a lot this campaign, but as a result of the summer’s work, Rangers now have quite a few players with Premier League experience.
Jack Butland, Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, Kieran Dowell, Joe Rothwell and Mikey Moore. These are all experienced at various levels in England’s top flight. But while most Ibrox fans would rather Dowell keeps well away, he still does boast around 20 outings in the PL.
Butland has around 80, Aarons is about 90, Djiga about 5, Rothwell around 30. And Moore in the small digits but all of them have plied their trade there.
This is what Rangers need. The squad Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement built was overpriced and for little return. But Kevin Thelwell appears to be sticking heavily to the English market, even if he’s also targeted a lot of lower-league EFL players too.
We need PL experience – experience at the best levels. We also have top level Champions League experience in Djiga. Not only does he have a league winners’ medal with Red Star, but 14 UCL appearances.
This is coveted stuff.
Does this suddenly mean Ibrox Noise is a believer and 56 is on its way? Far from it. Despite the brilliant win v Plzen, we could easily drop more points to Dundee at the weekend.
Time will tell on that one.
But in the way Walter signed tonnes of PL experience back in the day, we’re getting some more now.
And we definitely need that.