Rangers tipped to sign Olusanya amid puzzling St Mirren exit situation
Rangers supporters will be expecting the squad overhaul at Ibrox to continue this summer to enable their side to compete for the domestic honours once more.
Given the perceived closeness of the American takeover of Rangers and the disappointing season the Light Blues have endured on the Scottish scene, signings are in high demand in the coming months.
In the meantime, Gers fans can put all their eggs into the European basket with the second leg of their Europa League last 16 tie with Fenerbahce at Ibrox up next (13 March), Barry Ferguson’s boys leading Jose Mourinho’s side 3-1 on aggregate.
Rangers ‘should sign’ Olusanya from St Mirren
Rangers, under the scouting stewardship of Nils Koppen, looked to provide former manager Philippe Clement with a squad competitive enough to at least retain one domestic honour this year.
That hasn’t been the case and now the Gers are marooned in second in the Scottish Premiership, solely relying on another historic European run under Ferguson to keep the flame burning on their season.
According to Hugh Keevins, writing on page 58 of the Sunday Mail (9 March), Rangers have to make a punt for St Mirren forward Toyosi Olusanya – who put the final nail in Clement’s coffin at Ibrox in the Belgian’s final game (22 February).
Olusanya, 27, has fought through the English non-league scene to take his chance north of the border, scooping nine goal contributions including eight goals so far this season.
The former Middlesbrough frontman is out of contract in Paisley in the summer, with Keevins urging Scottish sides including Rangers to grab him while they can – citing not only his impact at Ibrox last month but also with him having “terrorised” Celtic’s Liam Scales and Auston Trusty in their recent meeting.
“This is the guy who terrorised Auston Trusty then Liam Scales during Celtic’s hard-fought win last week in Paisley,” Keevins said of Olusanya.
“A game that came a week after Olusanya had bullied, and scored against, Rangers’ shellshocked defence in the win that cost Philippe Clement his job at Ibrox.
“Hamza Igamane’s goalless run up front for Rangers has now extended into double figures … and here’s a soon-to-be free agent who would be even better with an upgrade in players around him. Maybe I’m missing something.”
Ferguson can be happy with his front-line for now
Rangers have had their issues this season, but certainly from an attacking perspective, these aren’t too much of a problem judging by recent games.
Cyriel Dessers has been on fire of late, equalling his entire goals tally of 22 for last season during the impressive win in Istanbul – and essentially denied a hat-trick by two of the narrowest offside calls you will ever see.
Danilo, for all his injury worries, has shown glimmers, while Igamane may be out of the goals at present but the 10-game barren run Keevins mentions has seen him play the full match just four times.
| Scottish Premiership top scorers (non-Rangers/Celtic) | Goals |
| Sam Dalby – Dundee United | 13 |
| Simon Murray – Dundee | 11 |
| Martin Boyle – Hibernian | 8 |
| Toyosi Olusanya – St Mirren | 8 |
| Bruce Anderson – Kilmarnock | 8 |
| Ronan Hale – Ross County | 8 |
They are contributing goals from wide areas, namely via Vaclav Cerny who needs to be signed permanently by Rangers if the ambition is there at Ibrox. A way has to be found – he is a sublime player and a match-winner on his day.
But Keevins has a point. Olusanya’s career path means his wages won’t be a problem at Ibrox. He is of an ideal age profile; a free agent with no payable compensation fee catch, and has shown in front of all eyes what he can do in front of goal.