Danny Rohl in ‘impossible’ Rangers position as UEFA rules get in way of plans this week
Rangers have welcomed a trio of new faces to Ibrox in this winter transfer window so far.
Tochi Chukwuani became Danny Rohl’s first signing as Rangers manager, as the Gers finally enjoyed a breakthrough in the market after a slow opening week-and-a-half.
However, that deal saw the proverbial dam burst, as Chukwuani‘s arrival was quickly followed by the signing of Tuur Rommens from Westerlo.
Then came Rangers’ big headline deal of the winter window so far, as Andreas Skov Olsen completed his Ibrox move, with the winger joining on loan from Wolfsburg.
Danny Rohl to endure UEFA registration frustration
Rangers are still looking to make further signings before the 2 February deadline, to complete what have been three very strong additions so far.
Chukwuani is a developing young central midfielder, who provides Rohl with some much-needed depth in that department given Connor Barron‘s serious injury.
Rommens, like Chukwuani, is also 22-years old, and had cemented his reputation as being one of the best left-backs in Belgian football before his move to Ibrox.
And finally, Skov Olsen has some real pedigree on his CV, having racked up years of experience playing in Serie A for Bologna, before starring for Club Brugge in Belgium prior to his move to German side Wolfsburg in January 2025.
All three of them look like genuinely top-class signings, and understandably, there’s a huge level of excitement from the fanbase to see them take their first steps in a Rangers shirt.
So, with Ludogorets coming to town in the Europa League on Thursday night, in a competition that Rohl’s side are all but out of already, that’s surely a perfect opportunity to hand them their first minutes.
And it is, but that won’t be the case, as former Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson makes note of in his most recent Daily Record column.
“In an ideal world I’m sure the manager would want to give the home crowd a taste of what they can expect from latest signings Andreas Skov Olsen and Tochi Chukwuani – and give the new boys a chance to get used to the environment,” Ferguson writes.
“But it looks like UEFA’s registration rules will make that impossible”.
And that they will, as new signings can only be registered to play in the Europa League after the league phase is over.
- Rangers have just one point from six Europa League games this season
- They are 33rd in the league phase table, and need to finish 24th or higher to contest a knockout play-off game
- Celtic are currently in 24th on seven points, meaning Rangers are all but out of the competition
Rangers still have to travel to Portugal to play Porto on 29 January, meaning none of their new signings will be able to make their debuts until Rangers’ Premiership clash with Dundee FC on 25 January.
UEFA block provides Rohl with different opportunity
As frustrated and keen as Rohl will be to bleed his new signings into the team, having none of them available for selection against Ludogorets will present him with a new focus.
It will give Rohl the chance to include some fringe players in the matchday squad, and potentially enable him and Rangers chiefs to make their minds up in regards to transfer decisions.
Players such as Joe Rothwell, Danilo and Kieran Dowell may well get one last chance to prove themselves worthy of a place in Rohl’s plans.
So, despite a lot of people not putting too much weight on this Europa League fixture given Rangers’ position in the table, it’s set to be a crucial night for some.
Stay up to date this winter with our Rangers transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Ibrox, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.