Rangers player power rankings: Nicolas Raskin misses out, new signing tops list

Rangers' class of 2026-27 has already gone through their fair share of ups and downs.

Derek McInnes' side made a hugely frustrating start to the campaign, both on the Scottish Premiership front and in Europe.

Of course, both Europa League and Conference League qualification opportunities were missed.

On top of that, it wasn't until 30 August against Aberdeen that Gers recorded their first league win of the new season.

Since that game, however, the Bears have won all of their following five matches in all competitions, with a corner now clearly having been turned.

And so, with the international break in full swing, Ibrox News puts together its first player power rankings list below.

5 - Lawrence Shankland

Linking back up with McInnes after their time at Hearts, Lawrence Shankland was the first of Rangers' summer signings this year.

The 31-year-old was brought in to help provide Gers with Premiership-winning firepower, and his three goals in five games have shown that.

Unfortunately, it's unlikely he'll feature on the next power rankings due to his long-term injury, but his eventual return will be like a new signing for McInnes.

4 - Djeidi Gassama

One whose start to the season has perhaps flown under the Rangers radar slightly, Djeidi Gassama has quietly been going about his business.

He's featured in 12 of Gers' 13 games in all competitions this season, and whilst the goal contributions are yet to really come, his displays have been largely very good.

Capable of playing anywhere across midfield, Gassama looks primed for an even better sophomore season in Govan.

3 - Dujon Sterling

A defender who is undoubtedly playing his best football in his Rangers career right now, Dujon Sterling is a player reborn under McInnes.

He put in a man of the match display in the most recent Old Firm win at Parkhead, and has been immense in the vast majority of his games this term.

Many questioned how hard it would be to replace James Tavernier at right-back, but thanks to Sterling, that transitional period has been seamless.

2 - Emmanuel Fernandez

A 24-year-old centre-back who only seems to be improving at Ibrox, Emmanuel Fernandez is one of Rangers' most prized possessions.

The Nigerian international has already seen his name touted to top clubs, and his near-faultless start to 2026-27 will only see transfer talk increase.

He's played in every single one of the 13 games so far this term, and is a player Rangers can't afford to sell mid-season if they're firmly in title contention come January.

1 - Olwethu Makhanya

Fernandez's centre-back partner in crime, Olwethu Makhanya has been nothing short of a revelation for Rangers.

There were big question marks over whether the 22-year-old could make a quick transition from MLS to Scottish football, but all sceptics have been silenced emphatically.

Ball-playing, duel-winning, dribbling and even chance creation: Makhanya ticks all the boxes that the best modern central defenders do.

He's no doubt going to bankroll Rangers in the future, and all of the above makes him Rangers' best player on the pitch right now.