Rangers’ five worst January window signings: Including Newcastle loan flops

Follow us on Google Discover

Glasgow Rangers have not always had the best of luck during the January transfer window.

Here in the second part of HITC Sport’s look at Rangers’ most memorable January transfers, we take a look at what perhaps may be deemed their five worst acquisitions during the winter window…

5. Maciej Gostomski

Maciej Gostomski

With Wes Foderingham in fine form, and Cammy Bell arguably a strong understudy, it was always going to be difficult for Polish goalkeeper Maciej Gostomski to force his way into the team following his free transfer in January 2016. But with the 28-year-old leaving just two months later having failed to make an appearance, some supporters would be forgiven for questioning why he was brought in in the first place.

4. Dan Eggen

Dan Eggen

Once again, Dan Eggen is a player who moved to Rangers during a January window – 2003’s window to be precise – before leaving months later without making a single appearance for the Gers.

3. Jukka Santala

It is the same story with Finnish striker Jukka Santala. During his two years with the club, he did not pull on the Rangers jersey once. Why he is placed higher is the fact that he was with the Light Blues for significantly longer than the previous pair.

2. Andy Webster

Andy Webster (L) and Steven Naismith during training

With a loan spell and permanent move under his belt, Andy Webster spent around four years at Ibrox. However, injury was the main narrative of his time with the club, including one he sustained during his first training session which ruled him out for the rest of the season. During his time with the club, he made just two appearances.

1. The Newcastle five

Haris Vuckic

No transfer involving Rangers has perhaps garnered as much unwanted attention as the deal that involved five fringe players moving on loan from Newcastle in 2015. Reports suggested that manager Kenny McDowell had been told that he had to play every member of the quintet – Gael Bigirimana, Remie Streete, Kevin Mbabu, Haris Vuckic and Shane Ferguson – when they were fit, though this was denied by chief executive Derek Llambias (via BBC Sport). In the end, the five made 15 league appearances between them, with Vuckic making that entire total up on his own. It is perhaps unfair to include the Slovenian as he did quite well but there is no doubt that for the other four, and perhaps the club itself, the move was complete waste of time.