Ross Wilson surely throws £39m away as Rangers transfer verdict revealed
Ross Wilson is a name which divides opinion at Ibrox and after dissecting the accounts at Rangers, questions arrive back at the sporting director’s feet.
The 2021/22 season saw a very different mood surrounding Ibrox, with the Europa League run massively papering over the cracks which were beginning to appear in their Scottish Premiership title bid.
It was abundantly clear to see the squad needed a significant overhaul, however, the surgery required never materialised for the Gers over the summer despite some high-profile departures.
However, looking back at Rangers’ spending, there are bigger issues at play compared to the amount the Gers are dishing out on players.
The Athletic report (10 November) that: “Rangers’ accounts state that they invested £16.8million in the squad in 2020-21, £7.5million in the year under review (2021-22) and a further £15million since June in the summer transfer window. That is a total of over £39million in five windows.”
£39million invested over five transfer windows, whether Light Blues’ fans like it or not, is a good investment into the squad. And although spending was low over the summer, that could well be because the club were still suffering from overspending in previous windows.
The Athletic write: “The more apposite conclusion is that Rangers simply haven’t spent the money they have invested well enough rather than haven’t spent enough.”
The last part of that sentence is crucial and will see the focus turn back to Wilson. Over the past two years, Rangers have invested, but the level of players they have signed has been wide of the mark. The 2021/22 season saw the likes of Juninho Bacuna, Aaron Ramsey and Mateusz Zukowski come through the door and fail to make an impact.
Kemar Roofe has been an expensive gamble which isn’t paying off and the same can be said for Ianis Hagi after his arrival. Cedric Itten was also another poor transfer from the Gers.
There is a good chance Rangers are now suffering financially as a result which meant this summer’s spending was reduced. Ultimately, previous signings under Wilson’s tenure show he has almost thrown £39million down the drain.
In other Rangers news, the club still owe £78m to Ibrox investors.