By Daniel Feliciano

13th Jul, 2022 | 11:40am

Kenny Miller shares concerns over Rangers transfer business

Rangers legend Kenny Miller is concerned by the club’s transfer business this summer and wants a new central defender signed before the season begins.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has already brought in John Souttar on a free transfer from Hearts as well as convincing Connor Goldson to sign a new long-term deal at Ibrox after speculation over his future.

But Miller, speaking to the Daily Record, says that’s not enough after Leon Balogun was allowed to leave at the end of his contract and with the poor injury history of Souttar and Filip Helander another centre-back is needed for the upcoming season.

“There’s been some good business in areas of the field Rangers needed to strengthen in, particularly with Joe Aribo leaving,” he said. “I think now, for Rangers, an area of concern might just be centre-back.

“Is Helander going to be fit? Is John Souttar going to be fit? Who’s going to partner Connor Goldson at the back? I think there’s a few niggles.

“He (Helander) has (injury history) and so does John Souttar. Even with those three players fit you maybe just need one more as a little bit of cover. I’m not sure if there’s anybody in the B-team that could make that step. Leon King could maybe make that step up as a bit of cover.

“There’s been good business. Over the last week to 10 days there’s been some rumblings from the Rangers support about not signing players and inactivity in the market.

“Well, that’s been nailed now with re-signing players to keep them in the build and with the three new faces. It gives that squad, and particularly the forward line, a bit of freshness.”

Concern

The summer transfer window has been interesting for Rangers with the loss of Aribo and Balogun, and the rapid arrivals of Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo on top of Antonio Colak.

Considering that the deal for Souttar was announced in January, a lack of defensive strengthening can definitely be seen as concerning especially as Calvin Bassey’s future remains up in the air.

But it’s great point that Miller makes in terms of Helander, who wasn’t even in the club’s Europa League squad in 2022 as they made the final. That shows that they can’t rely on him, and while King is obviously talented it’s a big step up.

There is always the possibility that Bassey is seen as a centre-back option too which provides more cover, but another defensive addition would certainly be welcomed considering the state of the squad right now.

Miller is just saying what a lot of fans are thinking. The window has been good so far, but there is still plenty of work to do and players needed before the season starts if Rangers want to bring the title back home in 2023.

In other Rangers news, one new signing rejected another Scottish club to move to Ibrox