It’s fair to say Aaron Ramsey didn’t really live up to those sky-high expectations at Rangers. But a little perspective please; When compared to some of the club’s most disastrous signings of the last five years, Ramsey feels almost like the second coming of Paul Gascoigne…
No Aaron Ramsey in Rangers’ worst XI of the last five years
GK: Jak Alnwick
Now, Alnwick was far from a disaster at Ibrox – unlike some on this list. But when you consider that John McLaughlin, Wes Foderingham and the evergreen Allan McGregor are the other alternatives for a place between the sticks, the now-Cardiff City benchwarmer earns his place almost by default.
Sorry Jak.
Russel Martin
During the ill-fated Pedro Caixinha era and the early days of Steven Gerrard’s reign, Rangers picked up a habit of signing over-the-hill central defenders well past their sell-by-date. But while Gareth McAuley at least proved to be a somewhat reliable presence, you certainly couldn’t say the same about Martin.
His error-strewn performance in a 5-3 victory over Hamilton Academical rather summed things up.
Bruno Alves
Talking about over-the-hill centre-halves. The 96-cap Portugal legend was already 35 years of age when he arrived at Ibrox to great fanfare in 2017 and, perhaps predictably, struggled to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Scottish game.
Alves, at least, enjoyed a late-career resurgence at Parma before retiring in June.
Jon Flanagan
Famously tipped to become a world-beater by none other than former Brazil captain Cafu, a devastating series of injuries had already taken their toll on the one-time Liverpool prospect before he reunited with Steven Gerrard north of the border in 2018.
Flanagan, capped once by England, is now a free-agent after playing just four times at Danish outfit HB Koge.
Bogdani Zungu
Upon signing for Rangers in the summer of 2020, the sporting director of Zungu’s former employers Amiens insisted that the South African was a genuine midfield maestro boasting the sort of technical ability that would make even £63 million Tanguy Ndombele green with envy (The Athletic).
But, during his time at Rangers, Zungu looked more Spurs-era Ndombele and less like the man who dominated Ligue 1 with Lyon. He started just one Premiership game under Gerrard.
Carlos Pena
If any player summed up the muddled thinking of the often mortifying Caixinha era, it was Carlos Pena. Rangers terminated the troubled Mexican’s contract less than two years after he set the club back an eye-watering £3.2 million, cutting their losses after a host of off-the-field issues.
During a 2018 poll on the Daily Record, fans voted Pena as the second-worst signing in Rangers’ history, behind only another midfielder who made a habit of dominating the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Yes, Joey Barton, we’re talking about you.
Though, it must be said, Pena scored more goals for Rangers than Aaron Ramsey did…
Eros Grezda
During the summer of 2018, Rangers snapped up two players who had caught their eye during a Europa League qualifier against Croatian outfit NK Osijek. But if Borna Barisic proved to be an inspired addition for £2 million, Eros Grezda was, well, more madness than masterstroke.
“Grezda has been told face-to-face what his situation is. He’s been advised to find a different challenge,” a furious Gerrard told the Daily Record after the winger was accused of spitting at a Ballymena player in action for Rangers’ reserve team.
“If you behave in that manner, you won’t represent this club any level. No one behaves like that and wears the Rangers shirt.”
Jordan Jones
Another player who found himself on the scrapheap after falling on the wrong side of Rangers’ disciplinarian manager, former Kilmarnock talisman Jones hardly kicked a ball in anger after breaching COVID-19 restrictions in late-2020 (BBC).
Now back in Scotland with St Mirren, Jones has not come close to replicating the sparkling form he showed in Ayrshire.
Dalcio
Remember him, Rangers fans? If not, we don’t blame you. Dalcio played just one league game for the Gers after all, and can certainly lay claim to being the most forgettable signing since the club’s return to the top-flight in 2016.
The former Portugal youth star made his debut during that catastrophic 2-0 defeat to Progres Niederkorn. Talk about starting as you mean to go on…
Eduardo Herrera
On the upside, at least Dalcio didn’t cost Rangers a penny in transfer fees. Herrera, in contrast, averaged £750,000-per-goal during his time in Scotland. The hulking, £1.5 million millstone of centre-forward found the net just once in 19 Premiership games and, just to rub salt into Rangers’ wounds, he remained a drain on club resources before finally bidding farewell in the summer of 2020.
Herrera, like compatriot Pena, announced his retirement recently.
Umar Sadiq
It speaks volumes that the former Roma youngster is best remembered at Ibrox for taking the most desperate tumbles with the goal at his mercy during a 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen in November 2018. Sadiq’s loan deal was cut unceremoniously short a few weeks later.
Sadiq has certainly gone on to greater things since then, however. He fired Almeria into La Liga recently. What’s more, Sadiq has reportedly emerged as a £20 million target for the likes of Sevilla, Ajax and even Barcelona. The now-free-scoring centre-forward has hit the target nearly 70 goals since leaving Glasgow.
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