Rangers transfer update: Philippe Clement confirms ‘very active’ January window after Fabio Silva signing
Philippe Clement has confirmed he expects to be “very active” during the winter break as he looks to further strengthen his Rangers squad.
The Belgian has already added Wolves forward Fabio Silva on loan, with the Portuguese making his debut off the bench against Kilmarnock on 2 January.
But with the players now set for a fortnight off the Light Blues manager admitted following the 3-1 win that he will not follow suit as he evaluates further potential signings with the recruitment staff at the club.
Clement said, via Rangers Review (8m 20s): “How active? I think very active every day by looking at players together with people in the club, and then we will see how many things we can make happen.
“The things we want, we’re not going to sign 10 players, don’t worry.”
Necessary
Silva was a welcome early addition to a Rangers side looking very light in attack but this is still a squad that has plenty of questions that need answering.
It is a credit to the manager that he has won the League Cup and put the club in position to challenge on three further fronts still since he took over from Michael Beale.
But the playing staff which was so lacking under the previous boss could do with reinforcements if Clement is to overcome his first defeat against Celtic and make a proper title race out of the second half of the campaign.
While so much of the focus has been on Lawrence Shankland in the run up to the New Year it may be financially unviable to land the Hearts star, although further help in attack would be very welcome.
The jury is still out on the majority of the recruits over the past couple of seasons so Clement may well be hoping to land some reinforcements in midfield and attack as well.
It is slightly concerning that the manager has followed Beale in coming up short in the Old Firm derby, but he has secured silverware at his first attempt in a way his predecessor couldn’t and the overall improvements have been positive.
If he can strengthen adequately this month then there is reason to be confident he can challenge for further honours this term, as shortcomings in the squad could otherwise make it too much of a stretch.
In other Rangers news, a rival manager has admitted he would “love” to see an Ibrox target secure a move.