Martin already requires miracle as Rangers players jet out to Athens
Rangers are still expected to lose several players over the coming weeks as the Scottish Premiership season quickly approaches.
Russell Martin’s side are already getting stuck into competitive matches and must finish the job against Panathinaikos on Wednesday, after defeating them 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying tie.
Gers are a team that are still difficult to judge so far this summer, with a lot of deadwood on their books but also plenty of good signings made.
However, journalist Scott McDermott believes the Light Blues’ deadwood is holding them back.
McDermott critical of Rangers after recent performances
Several Gers players have been linked with an Ibrox exit, including Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane, while Robin Propper has returned to FC Twente.
Rangers are reportedly ready to listen to offers for Ross McCausland, with Leon King another who could be shipped away from Glasgow.
It is the Bears’ attacking reinforcements that have been a worry for the Ibrox faithful.
McDermott wrote in the Daily Record’s print edition (pg 47, 29 July): “If you’d told Ibrox punters they’d kick off their Euro campaign with a forward line of Kieran Dowell, Danilo and Findlay Curtis, they wouldn’t just have laughed in your face.
“Which is why, with Martin’s squad heading to Athens for Wednesday night’s return, he actually deserves huge credit for pulling off a result.
“They’d have been calling The Samaritans. If they can avoid getting burnt in the Athens heat to progress – then potentially beat Swiss outfit Servette who are ahead in their tie – it would be a minor miracle from Martin.”
Danilo has had an impressive pre-season, but with potential for Dessers and Igamane to return, the Brazilian’s future could soon be decided.
Meanwhile, Dowell’s career in Glasgow should hopefully be up in the coming weeks after his poor form since joining Rangers.
However, Martin has a decision to make: does he offload these players with the risk of Dessers and Igamane leaving, or does he wait and risk keeping his fringe attackers on the books?
Dowell deserves no more chances at Ibrox
Martin must offload Dowell in the coming weeks.
Rangers have developed a knack for keeping fringe players and giving them too many chances in recent seasons.
Dowell has shown that he doesn’t deserve these chances, and if Gers are stuck with a player of his limited quality next season, they can wave goodbye to their chances of catching Celtic.
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