Rangers fans hopeful of seeing Steven Gerrard adding more new faces to his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month be in for a disappointment, with the Gers‘ European squad highlighting just how difficult it will be to add new signings.
Fans have been mentioning a number of various names as potential signings such as Joey Veerman and Bright Osayi-Samuel but, barring someone moving on there doesn’t seem any likelihood of either moving to Rangers.
Gerrard’s European squad has already saw the Ibrox boss have to leave out the likes of Jermain Defoe, Niko Katic and Jon McLaughlin already so it seems difficult to see who would drop out to make way for any new signings.
While there are some fringe players in the squad list – such as Calvin Bassey, Jack Simpson and Jake Hastie – there still isn’t much room for changes for Rangers to make.
A lack of defensive cover at left-back means that Bassey’s place in the 25-man squad is virtually assured, while a quirk in the rules means Hastie can only be replaced by a player trained at a club in Scotland.
There is still two empty spaces in the squad to be filled but, like replacing Hastie, those need to be filled by players who fulfil UEFA’s homegrown player criteria.
At last check, neither Veerman nor Osayi-Samuel have spent any time in Scottish football, never mind three years between 15 and 21.
That’s not to say that Rangers’ summer transfers are completely done but unless someone is sold, there’s no real scope for them to be added to the European squad without other departures.
With three weeks of the window left, and Rangers guaranteed group stage football in Europe this season, plenty could still happen between now and September.
But as things stand, there is almost no chance of anyone arriving at Ibrox unless one of Steven Gerrard’s existing Rangers players is moved on.
Who would you remove from Rangers’ European squad to add any additional signings before the end of the month?
Allan McGregor
Robby McCrorie
James Tavernier
Calvin Bassey
Filip Helander
Connor Goldson
Jack Simpson
Leon Balogun
Borna Barisic
Steven Davis
Ryan Jack
John Lundstram
Ianis Hagi
Ryan Kent
Joe Aribo
Glen Kamara
Fashion Sakala
Scott Arfield
Cedric Itten
Alfredo Morelos
Scott Wright
Kemar Roofe
Jake Hastie
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