Double Rangers exit on cards before new transfer – BBC pundit
Alan Hutton has predicted that Rangers will sign another new defender this month, with a double exit in the final third expected at Ibrox.
The BBC pundit has claimed that due to the influx of attacking players at Ibrox, they will be expecting some departures as the window draws to its close after Fashion Sakala made his exit already.
It was also suggested that, if Michael Beale plans on setting his side up with three at the back, it will be another area that the club look to strengthen as they currently lack quality strength in depth at the back.
Writing via his column on BBC Sport following Rangers’ draw with Servette, Hutton claimed: “They’re quite heavily loaded in the forward areas, so you would maybe expect a couple to leave.
“If you look at centre-half position, if he’s going to play three at the back, is that perhaps somewhere they could look to bring somebody in? We’ll need to wait and see but I think he’ll be nearly happy with what he’s got.”
Outgoing forwards are still possible but may be unlikely
It was initially suggested this summer that Rangers would look to move on the likes of Salaka, who left for Saudi Arabia, and Rabbi Matondo due to the four incoming forwards: Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Abdallah Sima and Danilo.
However, since the start of the season, it appears Beale may want to stick with his heavy depth up front with each player able to give him a different option.
After Sakala left Ibrox, Beale revealed “he was a player I was counting on” but the offer was too good to turn down both for the club and the player.
Matondo meanwhile impressed with his pace and ability to give Gers some directness and width to their play, as he bagged an assist in the 4-0 victory over Livingston, suggesting he still has a role to play at Ibrox.
In terms of defenders, Rangers had been linked with a move for Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo, but that deal fell through, and they have since shown an interest in Bristol City defender Zak Vyner [Bristol Live, 13 August].
This will be something to watch over the next couple of weeks.
In other Rangers news, one journalist has warned Michael Beale of a potential crisis