Rangers could be set for busy January transfer window as Philippe Clement speaks out on ‘limited squad’
Philippe Clement may well have hinted at another busy transfer window at Rangers as he spoke out on his “limited squad” ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Sparta Prague.
Squad depth has proved to be an issue for the Belgian in his early days at Ibrox, with several injuries weakening his squad, and he also called for the club to address that situation (Daily Record, 27 October) with players who are capable of stepping into his side.
Speaking to the press (8 November) ahead of the game at Ibrox, Clement again may have cut a frustrated figure listing potential injuries with both Nicolas Raskin and defender John Souttar who won’t return before the international break.
Clement also confirmed that Scott Wright is a major doubt for the game while Rabbi Matondo has returned to training but won’t be available for selection, but in more positive news Kemar Roofe will be with the squad although he will only be fit to play around 10 minutes.
He said: “Raskin and Souttar will not feature in the next two games,” he said. “Hopefully the international break will give us time to recover.
“Kemar Roofe will be in the squad, although will be very early for him. Will not be more than 5-10 minutes. We are limited with our squad.
“Scott Wright is a serious doubt for tomorrow. Rabbi Matondo trained with the group for the first time today but is not ready for selection.”
Rangers have been superb since Clement walked through the doors at Auchenhowie and have completely turned over a new leaf since getting rid of Michael Beale.
However, injuries have been a dampener of some of the Belgian’s progress as he looks to run the rule of his squad in the next few weeks and the fact that Clement complained over his “limited squad” could well have been another message to the Gers board to look at strengthening during the winter window.
Clement will need a degree of backing in the upcoming transfer window to bring in players that will better suit his new tactical style, and improve the squad depth that has let him down so far.
The bench for the clash in the reverse fixture against Sparta Prague was packed with inexperienced fringe players, not the sort you rely upon to change a tight game in Europe.
Clement has managed to get a tune out of Beale’s struggling signings such as Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers and Danilo in attack in recent games but it’s clear he will need more quality in midfield and defence if he is to challenge on all fronts.
It would, however, be understandable if the board at Rangers were hesitant to lend Clement the sort of backing they did in the summer to Michael Beale, given the ultimate result of his transfer surge in an attempt to build a stronger squad.
But the way in which Clement was talking over the current injuries at Ibrox, the Light Blues may well be gearing up for another busy transfer window.
In other Rangers news, star may have played final game for the club after injury curse strikes again.