Rangers told to move for out-of-contract player as Danny Rohl priority emerges
Danny Rohl is tasked with turning around what has been nothing short of an abysmal start to the season for Rangers.
Rohl’s first Rangers game is against Brann in the Europa League on Thursday, meaning there is very little time to prepare.
Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Rohl has already got stuck into his Rangers players at the training ground, showing he is not afraid to get hands-on.
While the immediate priority is to resuscitate a Europa League campaign seemingly only heading one way, Rohl will also have an eye on transfer matters at Rangers.
While the window is not due to open until January, that is not to say transfers are not possible at Ibrox beforehand.
Rangers in desperate need of new defender in January – or before
Rohl worked a “miracle” at Sheffield Wednesday and something similar will be needed at Rangers on the basis of the past few months.
There are many areas in desperate need of fixing, none more so than the shaky backline that has been exposed all too often by far lesser teams.
Rangers have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their past five matches, while they shipped six in one game against Club Brugge not long ago.
| Fixture | Date |
| Genk 1-0 Rangers | 25/09 |
| Livingston 1-2 Rangers | 28/09 |
| Sturm Graz 2-1 Rangers | 2/10 |
| Falkirk 1-1 Rangers | 5/10 |
| Rangers 2-2 Dundee United | 18/10 |
This is something that needs rectifying as a priority, with player-turned-pundit Derek Ferguson believing an out-of-contract signing may even make sense.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Ferguson said: “The defence needs changing as a priority, maybe with a change of shape. We’re not good defensively at all.
“What we’ve got, from middle to front, is a real array of talent that is as good as anything in Scotland, including Celtic. Where we have an issue is at the back.
“We have one recognised left-back, and even he’s on loan. We have a few centre-backs that haven’t been able to click in terms of the right combination, and an ageing right-back in Tavernier.
“Then there’s a back-up in Max Aarons who’s not got going. There’s a real issue at the back that Rohl needs to address.
“That will ideally be with some more new players coming in who are potentially out of contract elsewhere right now. You have to box clever. It’s not just one or two that’s needed but two or three.”
If Rangers are to wait to sign a new player in the New Year, the winter transfer window opens for business on 1 January.
Free agent defenders Rangers could possibly move for
John Souttar has been an ever-present for Rangers in the league, but there have been too many changes around him.
Indeed, as per Sofascore, Souttar has played 17 times in all competitions this campaign and is playing a full part in each of those.
A number of fairly recognised names are still without a club, arguably spearheaded by Takehiro Tomiyasu after he left Arsenal in the summer.
Jason Denayer, who was once on Celtic’s books, and former Leicester defender Daniel Amartey are also on the free market.
Those are just a few names, but there are certainly some options out there if Rangers plan on an emergency option for now.
If not, Andrew Cavenagh and Co. need to be in a position to make signings from the very second the window opens in January.
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