The January transfer window is drawing ever closer, and Rangers will be looking for new signings after a patchy season to date.
Rangers have finally confirmed that Graeme Murty has been appointed as the club’s new manager until the end of the season – and the attention can turn to the January transfer window.
The Gers sacked Pedro Caixinha in October, and after being rejected by Derek McInnes, caretaker boss Murty will now take charge of the club until the summer.
With a little more stability now at Ibrox, Rangers can start to focus on the January transfer window, with Murty and director of football Mark Allen set to take charge of the club’s transfers.
With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for Rangers’ January transfer window…
Snap up two long-term targets
Rangers spent part of the summer attempting to sign Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean and Hearts winger Jamie Walker, but ultimately failed on both fronts. The pair are both out of contract at the end of the season and seemingly have no intention of staying with their current clubs, with 2018 moves almost certainly on the cards. Rangers cannot afford to let either of them slip away, and should be pursuing January deals for the duo – whether it’s to buy them or tying them down to pre-contract agreements.
Make decisions on loan rangers
Rangers have a number of decisions to make on loan players next month, both already at the club and set to return to Ibrox. Current Gers loanees Aaron Nemane and Dalcio have done little to suggest they should stay in Glasgow, with Nemane’s move from Manchester City ending next month and Dalcio almost certainly set to be sent back to Benfica. Joe Dodoo and Michael O’Halloran are both set to return to Rangers in January at the end of respective loan deals with Charlton Athletic and St Johnstone, and Rangers must decide whether to keep them or move them on in 2018.
Sign another striker
Whilst Alfredo Morelos has largely been a success since his summer move from HJK Helsinki, the Colombian needs some help. Fellow summer addition Eduardo Herrera has offered little this season, scoring just twice in 19 games, whilst Kenny Miller’s career appears to be winding down and Ryan Hardie isn’t given enough chances. Rangers have already seen Louis Moult slip through the net, with the Motherwell striker set to join Preston North End next week, and the Gers should be quick off the mark in January to bring in another striker to support Morelos.
Consider letting some Caixinha favourites leave
Former boss Caixinha was backed heavily over the summer, but reports already suggest that three of his signing could leave. The Daily Mail recently noted that Caixinha favourites Bruno Alves, Carlos Pena and Herrera could all be on their way out in January, and Rangers shouldn’t stand in their way if any of them want to move on. In truth, none of the three have really lived up to expectations since Caixinha brought them to Ibrox, and if they are wanted elsewhere – possibly by Caixinha at new club Cruz Azul in Mexico – then the Gers should think about cutting ties early.
Utilise the loan market
Last January, Rangers brought in two loan players, landing Jon Toral and Emerson Hyndman from Arsenal and Bournemouth respectively, and a similar approach may be needed this time too. Given that Murty has been handed the job until the end of the season, Rangers may not be too keen to commit to his ideal signings, given that a different manager could be at the helm before next season, and that may mean that the loan market comes into play again. Signing players until the end of the season in an attempt to take second place may not be a bad move, especially if they could end up signing permanently, as Declan John has this season.
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