Rangers were one of the Scottish Premiership's biggest summer spenders, securing a number of big-money signings. The Ibrox side recruited Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers, Danilo and others, but the large sum of cash spent hasn't translated to immediate success.
The Light Blues have struggled to make inroads on Celtic's lead at the top of the table, despite going 12 games unbeaten under Belgian boss Philippe Clement. Saturday's 3-1 league win over Dundee closed the gap to five points, but the Hoops can restore their eight-point cushion when they head to Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Pressure remains on Clement to deliver silverware with the Viaplay Cup Final against Aberdeen taking place at Hampden Park next weekend. European football is also guaranteed after Christmas but Clement will want that to be in the second-tier UEFA Europa League rather than the Conference League.
Clement - yet to taste defeat in the Gers hot seat - admitted he is ready to tackle the mid-season transfer window after getting his feet under the table in Govan. And he will look to address the "balance" of his first-team squad, insisting he has too many players in certain positions and not enough in other key areas.
It is understood a new left-back features high on the agenda, with Borna Barisic and Ridvan Yilmaz sharing the responsibility on the left side of defence. 31-year-old Barisic is out of contract in the summer, while injury-prone Yilmaz has struggled for consistency. It's believed Clement could use his scouting network in Belgium, Holland and France to source a potential loan deal.
Another attacking option is also rumoured to be on Clement's wish list with Dessers, Lammers and Danilo lacking form and captain James Tavernier again leading the club's scoring charts across all competitions. Prolific marksman Lawrence Shankland seems to be the name on every supporters' lips, but Clement has played down a move for the Hearts striking ace.
With that in mind, we take a look at the possible Rangers starting XI after the January window if the latest rumours prove true:
9. RW - Theo Bongonda
A possible stab in the dark but the Congo international was previously linked with a move to Rangers before heading to Russia instead to sign for Spartak Moscow in a deal worth around 10 million euros. Remains under contract until 2026, so it's unlikely he'll be heading to Ibrox but the right side could do with strengthening. | Getty Images
10. CAM - Todd Cantwell
The former Norwich City star has looked much more at home in his preferred No.10 role in recent games and while he's been in and out of the team under Clement so far, it's been evident for a while that Cantwell offers creativity and a real spark to the team. | SNS Group
11. LW - Abdallah Sima
It's no surprise to see that Clement wants to sign the Brighton loanee on a permanent deal. He's been a tremendous signing, netting 15 goals already this season. A chief tormentor. | SNS Group
12. CF - Lawrence Shankland
Shankland is a boyhood Rangers fan and has been linked with a move to Ibrox for some time now. Clement clearly rates the Hearts frontman highly - his embrace with the player after the game at Tynecastle offered that hint. It will be intriguing to see if the club splash the cash to get him. | SNS Group