The Glasgow giants have battled administration, flimsy ownership and four years in exile but now they’re back in the big time and where they belong.
Andy Halliday celebrates with Kenny Miller after scoring the second goal for Rangers
Mark Warburton has had to bide his time but with the club stable and off-the-field issues starting to dwindle for the first time in years, Rangers have paved the way clear for a successful season in the Scottish Premiership, where they have started in fine form with two wins and two draws.
The Gers have spent no time at all in preparing their squad for the big league – 12 new faces arrived at Ibrox this summer, with Warburton raiding England for his stars and even the New York Cosmos for one Niko Kranjcar, all at a cut-price bargain.
Ins
Josh Windass – Accrington Stanley – £60,000
Matt Crooks – Accrington Stanley – £60,000
Jordan Rossiter – Liverpool – £250,000
Joey Barton – Burnley – Free
Clint Hill – Queens Park Rangers – Free
Niko Kranjčar – New York Cosmos – Free
Matt Gilks – Burnley – Free
Lee Hodson – MK Dons – £250,000
Joe Dodoo – Leicester City – £250,000
Joe Garner – Preston North End – £1.5 million
David Bates – Raith Rovers – Loan
Philippe Senderos – Free agent – Free
Outs
Nicky Law – Bradford – Free
David Templeton – Free Agent – Free
Nicky Clark – Bury – Free
Dean Shiels – Dundalk – Free
Cammy Bell – Dundee United – Free
Luca Gasparotto – Falkirk – Free
Robbie Crawford – Free Agent – Free
Liam Kelly – Livingston – Loan
Tom Walsh – St Mirren – Loan
Ryan Hardie – St Mirren – Loan
Jordan Thompson – Raith Rovers – Loan
Areas addressed
Mark Warburton has brought an eclectic range of names both big and small, young and old at Rangers, the most high-profile being Joey Barton on a free transfer from Burnley.
Warburton clearly felt experience was the key transfer policy this summer as in addition to the midfielder, Clint Hill, Niko Kranjcar and Matt Gilks are wizened, experienced heads of the Premier League, while Jordan Rossiter featured regularly in the Europa League for Liverpool.
Joe Garner will tussle with Kenny Miller, Barrie McKay and Martyn Waghorn for a striking spot as he looks to put behind him a disappointing last season with Preston in which he scored just six goals in the Championship.
Lee Hodson will provide cover at right-back for James Tavernier while Josh Windass, son of former star Dean, has a decent eye for goal and will add a more attacking threat from midfield.
Philippe Senderos’ arrival was confirmed on deadline day, with the former Arsenal centre-back penning a deal until the end of the season.
Any regrets?
Rangers have conceded four goals in their opening four Premiership matches which could prove to be a hindrance as they look to consolidate their top-flight status.
More potentially could have been done to sign defensive reinforcements and while it’s always a good idea to have experienced faces in the squad, the tendency for those players to run out of steam means rotation is critical and even then they may prove well past their best.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton
Verdict
While the club are some way off from launching a title challenge, they’ve packed their squad with big enough names to keep them in the Premiership at the very least and maybe cause an upset in regards to their fierce rivals.
A big squad is a big demand to keep everyone happy, but they’re certainly talented enough to keep Rangers’ top-flight status and then some.
Grade: B
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