Rangers transfer necessities ranked as seven positions and five exit candidates assessed on deadline day

Despite signing a grand total of 12 new players during the summer, Rangers are set for a busy deadline day with several positions they need to strengthen.

It’s been a difficult first few months for new boss Derek McInnes - who has already seen his side crash out of Europe and stumble in the league. After finishing third last season, another Ibrox summer rebuild was necessary to help bridge the gap on rivals Celtic and even Hearts, however their shaky start proves there’s still a need for reinforcements. There are also five individuals linked with a move away from the club as a potentially hectic deadline day commences. Here’s a look at each position marked out of 10 based on Rangers’ need to strengthen:

Goalkeeper - 2/10

£6.5m signing Ivor Pandur has made the number one jersey his own, while Liam Kelly is a more than capable backup. Definitely not a priority.

Right back - 4/10

The signings of Ross McCrorie and Kosta Nedeljkovic have given Rangers a bit of cover in this area. Dujon Sterling is first choice at the moment so perhaps a more attacking minded full back could be enlisted - but there’s other areas which need looked at first.

Centre back - 7/10

Exhibit A. Rangers have shipped goals in seven of their nine matches so far and the majority of which were avoidable. An inconsistent Emmanuel Fernandez, injury prone Ben Godfrey and inexperienced Olwethu Makhanya remain the only options. Perhaps a tried and tested central defender could solve this issue.

Left back - 3/10

Tuur Rommens and James Penrice are two of Rangers’ better players. In this area there’s more competition for places than there is a need for reinforcements.

Centre midfield - 6/10

Plenty of squad options in this area, but is there enough creative quality? In signing Dan Neil, Cammy Devlin and Vanja Dragojevic, Rangers have enforcers, who aren’t afraid to put a foot in - but at the end of the day, a club mounting a serious title challenge needs more than this. Attacking midfielder Kim Min-su can play a killer pass but it’d be helpful if they had someone else with this quality playing deeper.

Winger - 8/10

The area of the pitch manager McInnes is crying out for. In Daisuke Yokota and Djeidi Gassama Rangers have direct strong runners, while Findlay Curtis has that X factor and eye for goal. However, a lot more than this is needed on the flanks. It’d be a surprise to see Rangers spend an entire season with the just three out and out wide men.

Striker - 4/10

Rangers looked fairly well stacked up front before Youssef Chermiti’s nasty ACL injury. As Macedonian marksman Bojan Miovski can’t get a look in, captain Lawrence Shankland and Ryan Naderi have took turns leading the line of late. With Kevin Kelsy en route from Portland Timbers, a replacement for Chermiti looks to have already been found.

Outgoing transfers - 6/10

Belgian midfielder Nico Raskin has been the main subject of transfer interest and one of the few players actually in the first team picture linked with a move elsewhere. Losing the Belgian would be a hammer blow to the squad but if the price is right Rangers’ hand may be forced. Turkish giants Besiktas had reportedly tabled a late-window loan bid which the club initially agreed to, but turfed out hours later.

Fringe men Clinton Nsiala and Ross McCausland aren’t expected to acquire many first team minutes and should be moved on, along with experienced defender John Souttar - who’s been linked with a move to the EFL. The same applies for Bojan Miovski as he has also struggled for game time, but despite interest from Dutch giants Feyenoord and Genclerbirligi of Turkey, the striker reportedly wants to fight for his place.

Overall 7/10

Overall, the transfer necessities for Rangers on deadline day can be summed up in one word - creativity. Whether it be from through the middle, out wide or from the back, it’s a quality that the current squad lack which could come back to haunt them. With no European football, the recruitment team can look for individuals who can cut open packed defences.

With several rumoured arrivals and departures, a hectic deadline day is expected for the Light Blues. The biggest priorities should be wingers and centre backs, but with the recruitment team up against the clock, it’s unlikely all these areas will be filled. In terms of outgoings, the senior players that won’t be part of the first team picture simply have to be moved on, so the club can maximise resources for the campaign ahead.

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