Rangers told they've uncovered a 'powerful' gem in winter transfer window but recruitment missed key recruit

Rangers have been told one of their winter recruits has shown early promise - but January shopping has failed to rectify an area of the park.

The Light Blues moved clear in second after Celtic’s postponed clash with Aberdeen, and three points off the top amid Hearts’ loss at St Mirren, by thumping Kilmarnock 5-1 on Premiership business. Belgian left-back Tuur Rommens impressed on his debut off the bench and striker Ryan Naderi also appeared for the first time, as they faced a side with 10 men for most of the match.

James Tavernier’s penalty was the only goal in a stodgy first half before Bojan Miovski, Andreas Skov Olsen, Oliver Antman and Mikey Moore netted. Steven Naismith was on co-commentary duty for Sportsound and the Scotland coach plus ex Rangers forward reckons a slow first half showed winter shopping failed to bring a consistent playmaker into head coach Danny Rohl’s ranks.

What didn’t Rangers sign in the winter transfer window?

He said: “This is an are I think Rangers miss. They miss a playmaker. They miss someone, a Pedro Mendes, a Steven Davis type. Nico Raskin is their deepest midfielder and for me he doesn’t have that accuracy or quality with they forward passes. This is an example where you need that type of player.

At full-time, however, Naismith piled praise on Rommens as he provided a new threat on the left-hand-side. He added: “It was it was what you probably expected from Rangers after they take the lead and Kilmarnock go down to 10 men. Then after Miovski scores the second, I said when the subs were coming on, there's no better environment to come into and I think they all embraced it.

“Mikey Moore continued his good work from the first half but Rommens at left back was up and down, he looks powerful, he looks as if he's got a calmness in his decision making when he's getting cut backs. The one thing we didn't see was much defending from him. Olsen grew into the game, got a goal and is a very intelligent player. It's harsh om Kilmarnock because there is loads of positives for their performance.”

Tuur Rommens debut at Rangers assessed

Former Rangers striker Rory Loy was also on comms and said: “I think it was Rommens’ level of intelligence that was the most impressive thing. The timing of his runs and his ability to remain composed in the box, lift his head and pick a man out and that's vitally important. Jayden Meghoma is a very good player in his own right and he gets up and down and he's athletic but he's young and he's a little bit raw at times and his decision making in the final third isn't always there.

“Rommens is of course is young as well, 21, but he just looks slightly more composed on the ball than maybe Meghoma does in really dangerous areas of the pitch. Skov Olsen as well, that goal did him the world of good.

“It looked like it actually relieved a bit of pressure off his shoulders which to be fair after two games you shouldn't really be feeling but it's always nice to get off on the score sheet for your new club. It was a really tidy finish and he showed some lovely touches after that and bursts of pace.”