After another exasperating derby defeat to Celtic on Saturday, it appears that Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha is keen to kick-start his summer activity.
With Pedro Caixinha still recovering from the post-traumatic stress of Saturday’s 5-1 home thumping by Old Firm enemies Celtic, it’s no surprise that he believes he needs up to a dozen players in order to make Rangers competitive next season.
And the Daily Record reports that he has identified one position in particular as an area ready for reinforcement – the centre of defence.
Rangers may have conceded the third least amount of goals in the Scottish Premiership this season but the way they were picked apart by Brendan Rodgers’ side at Ibrox merely highlighted the team’s tendency to capitulate under pressure. It’s not the first time this season Rangers have lost in such a humiliating manner.
As a result, the Daily Record claims that Caixinha could be on the lookout for a couple of natural-born enforcers – players capable of galvanising the backline and leading by example.
Clint for the cut?
And this does not appear to bode well for those already at Caixinha’s disposal. Clint Hill, in particular, could be the first major casualty of the Portuguese’s summer recruitment drive.
The 38-year-old only signed a one-year deal after arriving from QPR last summer. And, despite being one of the club’s most consistent players in a tumultuous campaign, there is still no suggestion that he could be sticking around beyond the summer.
And his part in that 5-1 debacle does not exactly help his chances of remaining at Ibrox.
South of the border
Fellow centre-half Rob Kiernan could also be under some pressure. The 26-year-old has not played since picking up an injury against Motherwell a month ago but, even before Caixinha’s arrival, his error-strewn displays saw him subject to criticism.
Kiernan was linked to Fulham in January, according to the Daily Mail, and the addition of a few new defenders, plus the emergence of young David Bates, may force him out.
Though it’s all in the name of progress.
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