Rangers could be in need of a new central defender at Ibrox.
Graeme Murty will be fully aware that he may be forced to dip into the transfer window this month once again as doubts begin to circle the futures of two of his Rangers centre-backs.
Veteran Bruno Alves has been linked with a move to Serie A side Benevento, as the 36-year-old’s hopes of achieving a place in Portugal’s World Cup squad is currently in doubt as he overcomes a calf injury.
The commanding centre-back has been largely inconsistent for the Gers, showing his class at the back in certain matches before failing to impress in others.
His future remains in doubt despite having a year and a half remaining on his current deal, while fellow centre-back Danny Wilson is tempted by a move to the MLS with interest coming the former Liverpool man’s way as he enters the final months of his contract.
It leaves the Gers with just David Bates, Fabio Cardoso and new signing Russell Martin. Bates is also in the final year of his contract while Cardoso is yet to impress, Martin is only on loan.
It should convince Murty to enter the January transfer window once more after completing five signings this summer in the form of a permanent deal for Declan John and loans for Martin, Sean Goss, Jamie Murphy and Jason Cummings.
Experience is needed, as well as keeping the squad British. That should have seen Murty’s attention turn towards Derby County centre-back Jason Shackell, who has since joined Championship side Millwall.
Millwall confirmed the loan signing of the 34-year-old until the end of the season on their official website. But Rangers should regret not signing the defender, who has clocked up an enormous 381 appearances in the second tier of English football.
Shackell’s Derby contract is set to expire in the summer and he would have been available for a nominal fee if Rangers had rivalled Millwall with a permanent offer.
A no-nonsense approach to defence, Shackell would have been the perfect type of defender capable of adding a tenacity to the Gers defence.
Landing the veteran defender would have been the perfect replacement for Alves, if the Portuguese departs.
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