Scottish title pendulum swings in Rangers favour amid Aaron Mooy and Jota news at Celtic
A string of crucial updates on either side of Glasgow in the last 24 hours may have seen the Scottish Premiership title pendulum swing in Michael Beale’s favour for the first time as Rangers manager.
Despite matching Celtic toe to toe in the league since his arrival at Ibrox, Beale’s side still had to witness their Old Firm rivals claim the treble last season, a collection of trophies that left them as clear favourites heading into the new campaign.
However, on Thursday and Friday, several significant pieces of breaking news would have left chins wagging within the Gers fanbase, and for all the right reasons.
In the first of three major updates, the Gers continued their brilliant transfer business for the summer by snapping up Brighton forward Abdallah Sima on a season-long loan deal. After the departures of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent in the final third, such a deal should provide Beale with a number of alternative options in his front three.
However, while Rangers were adding to their ranks, Brendan Rodgers was dealt a sucker punch as news emerged that Celtic were preparing to sell their talismanic winger Jota to Al-Ittihad for over £20million. [Daily Mail, 29 June]
The 24-year-old enjoyed a standout first season with the Hoops after joining from Benfica, claiming 15 goals from 43 appearances as they claimed the domestic treble, but now looks to be heading towards a lucrative pay-day in the middle east.
The final deciding factor in the pendulum tilting in Rangers’ favour emerged on Friday morning (30 June), with midfielder Aaron Mooy announcing his retirement from football at the age of 32. The Australian made 42 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops but has now decided to call time on his 15-year career.
Meanwhile, in the Gers’ camp, proceedings seem to be going well, with the club already getting five new faces through the doors – Kieran Dowell, Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling, Sam Lammers and Sima – before pre-season has even begun.
The major worry for the Gers heading into this summer was the lack of time they had to assimilate new names into the club in what was expected to be a summer of major change.
However, when considering the departure of Ange Postecolgou, the retirement of instrumental midfielder Mooy, and the increasing likelihood that Jota leaves for Saudi, Rangers may now need to be considered the favourites for the upcoming Scottish Premiership season.
In other Rangers news, the club have now received a breakthrough in their pursuit to complete another summer signing as a key target will not be signing an extension.