Rangers striker situation now desperate amid Danilo fears after Oli McBurnie transfer update

Rangers are now getting desperate in the hunt for a new striker signing as Danilo is still weeks away from being up to full speed says Derek Ferguson.

The ex-Ibrox midfielder believes the Brazilian will still require some time to fully recover from the injury which kept him out for the majority of last season and de facto top forward Cyriel Dessers must have more competition.

Oli McBurnie had been available this summer after being released by Sheffield United and has publicly stated his hopes of playing for the Light Blues [Stomping Ground Podcast, 5 April], but has instead made a surprise move to Las Palmas in La Liga.

Ferguson believes the Scotland international is an opportunity gone begging and he "absolutely" would have been worth bringing in despite a potentially underwhelmed response.

He exclusively spoke to Ibrox News and said: "I think a lot of fans initially they maybe turned their nose up a wee bit.

"But we need players through the door and we're getting desperate.

"That's the stage because Danilo is going to take, I believe, another three or four weeks to get up to speed. 

"So Oli McBurnie we all know he's a Rangers supporter, he's been a Scotland international.

"Listen, the boy's a decent player and if we had the option to go and get him, if we could have got him through the door, absolutely. 

"You need that competition. Is Dessers the answer? No, it's clear to see." 

Oli McBurnie wants to play for Rangers but joined Las Palmas

Kemar Roofe is long gone, Sam Lammers has been offloaded, Cyriel Dessers could yet be sold, and although Danilo has been tipped to be key this term [Kris Boyd, 5 July] he is unlikely to hit the ground running thanks to his lack of football.

Philippe Clement has had to wait for sales in order to buy and a potential move for Hearts star Lawrence Shankland has now arrived back on the agenda [Rangers Review, 24 July].

But McBurnie 28, was seemingly there for the taking on a free after six Premier League goals last term.

Space on the wage bill may have been needed but the his personal ambitions could have seen him wait if interest was made clear.

Albion Rrahmani looks to be out of reach [Daily Record, 15 July], as does Bojan Miovski, and Theo Bair was liked [The Athletic, 23 June] but has gone elsewhere.

So fears are starting to grow that Rangers might again be light up top if reinforcements aren't secured soon.

In other Rangers news, an exit-bound Ibrox ace has been blasted for what he has done at the club.

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