Headline: Rangers Make 11 Summer Signings Amid Concerns Over Recruitment Strategy
Rangers have completed 11 signings this summer, with expectations of adding at least a couple more players before the transfer window closes. Since the beginning of last summer’s transfer period, the club has brought in a significant total of 28 new arrivals. This has raised concerns from former Ibrox player Andy Halliday, who critiques the club’s “scattergun” approach to recruitment.
Halliday expressed his views on the state of Rangers’ squad during an appearance on the BBC’s Scottish football podcast. He remarked, “The key word is strategy. I can’t describe Rangers’ recruitment over the last 12 months as a strategy – more scattergun.” He indicated that the sheer number of new players suggests a lack of a coherent strategic plan.
Regarding the current squad, Halliday acknowledged mixed results from the new signings this year. “In terms of the players that have come in the building this year, the jury’s out on some, some have done okay. But you look for immediate upgrades when they’re coming in. I’m not too sure at this moment in time if there’s immediate upgrades in the starting 11,” he said.
Halliday anticipates that Rangers will pursue another two or three signings before the end of the window, speculating that these could involve significant investments of £7 million to £9 million, which he believes could make a real difference to the team.
Expressing regret over Celtic’s impressive performance in their Champions League play-off first leg against LASK, he quipped that he was “punching myself” rather than celebrating. He noted, “The gulf between Rangers and Celtic at this moment in time looks pretty big, given that towards the end of last season, you didn’t feel as if there was too much between the sides.”
Halliday praised Celtic’s new signings, such as Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, and Mika Bauer, asserting that they have significantly improved the team.
Tonight, Rangers will host Jablonec in the first leg of their Conference League play-off. Halliday emphasized that excuses cannot be made for the team’s performance, stating, “They’re coming up against a decent side. Jablonec finished fifth in the Czech league and have started this season ever so well, unbeaten. But you can’t offer Rangers much in terms of excuses when they’re playing in the Conference League. They have to beat whoever’s in front of them.”
He concluded that while it may not be easy, it is a match that one would expect Rangers to win.
Rangers have already made 11 signings this summer with at least another couple likely.
The total number of arrivals since the start of last summer’s transfer window stands at an eye-watering 28 – leading to concerns from former Ibrox player Andy Halliday over the club’s “scattergun” approach to recruitment.
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And Halliday says there is now a “gulf” in quality between Rangers and Celtic.
Speaking on the BBC’s Scottish football podcast, he said: “The key word is strategy. I can’t describe Rangers’ recruitment over the last 12 months as a strategy – more scattergun.
“When you see the amount of players they have brought in over a 12-month period, it doesn’t look as if there’s much strategic plan behind it.
“In terms of the players that have come in the building this year, the jury’s out on some, some have done okay.
“But you look for immediate upgrades when they’re coming in. I’m not too sure at this moment in time if there’s immediate upgrades in the starting 11.
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“I still think Rangers will do another two or three before the end of the transfer window and I’m expecting it to be the £7m, £8m, £9m players that are going to make a real difference.”
Halliday joked he was “punching myself” rather than punching the air at Celtic’s “outstanding” Champions League play-off first-leg win over LASK on Tuesday night, adding: “I think the gulf between Rangers and Celtic at this moment in time looks pretty big, given that towards the end of last season, you didn’t feel as if there was too much between the sides.
“You look at the players who have come in – Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, Mika Bauer, who I thought was impressive last night as well – I think they’ve made Celtic infinitely better.”
Rangers host Jablonec tonight in their Conference League play-off first leg and Halliday says there can be no excuses from Derek McInnes’ men.
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“They’re coming up against a decent side. Jabloenc finished fifth in the Czech league and have started this season ever so well, unbeaten,” he said.
“But you can’t offer Rangers much in terms of excuses when they’re playing in the Conference League. They have to beat whoever’s in front of them.
“It’s not going to be easy, but it’s certainly one you’d expect Rangers to go through.”
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