As Rangers fell to a 2-1 January defeat at Hearts it felt like this result was coming since we first got back to competitive action little over a week ago against Stranraer.
Thankfully, the League One strugglers were never seriously going to pose a threat, but the performances in the St. Mirren and Hearts games in the week proceeding the match have highlighted a lack of quality depth.
Is Sunday’s result, and the last 270 minutes of football, evidence that we are making a mistake by not entering the transfer market?
Over the course of the last three games, we’ve been missing undoubtedly our two most influential players in assist king captain James Tavernier and prolific talisman Alfredo Morelos.
These are unarguably the two most important players at Ibrox and unfortunately, through Morelos’ suspension and Tavernier’s appendix [Rangers], they’re missing at the same time.
James Tavernier has contributed towards 15 goals this season [scored 3, assisted 12] whilst Alfredo Morelos has been involved in 37 strikes [scored 28, assisted 9].
Under Steven Gerrard’s stewardship this situation is unique and you get the feeling things will be different when Morelos returns against Ross County.
Do Rangers need another striking option?
Whilst Jermain Defoe is a quality finisher, in turgid, physical battles we often lack that out-ball we get with Morelos in the team.
This is a position we should seriously consider strengthening in before Saturday’s deadline.
As for Tavernier’s absence, Steven Gerrard stuck with Jon Flanagan at right-back despite what many fans saw as a poor performance against St. Mirren.
With the likes of Matt Polster – who impressed in the second half against Hearts – and youngster Nathan Patterson – who impressed against Stranraer – waiting in the wings, some change will be upon us in the upcoming matches.
I have very little doubts that doing so will positively impact the team before Tavernier can return without having to invest in this position.
Do we have enough of a creative spark from the middle of the park?
But where we perhaps need another body is not at wing-back but in midfield where the last three games have lacked spark, dynamism and creativity.
Steven Gerrard has stuck with a more defensive, ball-playing midfield which lacks someone who can drive at defences, get in good positions, shoot, pass and score.
The side obviously isn’t helped by some poor form from Scott Arfield who proved to be a useful option in this regard last season.
We lack that burst of energy in the middle of the pitch and it’s unsurprising we’re being loosely linked with the likes of Josh Windass [Football Stewart].
It’s in these two styles of player – a physical, aggressive forward option upfront and a lock-picking, goalscoring creative midfielder – where Rangers appear to fall short.
If we don’t move for a player or players who can help plug this gap, will we live to regret it when the prizes are handed out come May?
