Rangers fans’ thoughts turned to the summer before the bells had even chimed for New Year with the hopes that 2025 will be considerably more enjoyable than 2024.
A new Rangers manager will be backed, and there will be hopes that regime change and a takeover by the San Francisco 49ers can take the club to the next level.
Sustained domestic success is the priority and bringing silverware back to the Ibrox trophy room on a more regular basis than has been seen in the last decade.
The Europa League run shows that there are some good players in the Rangers squad, however, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done.
Tasked with moving those who aren’t good enough for Rangers out and replacing those who leave at the end of their contracts is Nils Koppen, who has had his credentials called into question.
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Craig Moore asks Rangers recruitment question
If anyone should know what it takes to be a success for Rangers, and the type of player needed, it is Craig Moore.
The former Gers skipper recommended Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and told Ross Wilson to sign Daizen Maeda to his old club, only to be dismissed.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Moore was asked what was happening at Rangers in terms of recruitment:
“I would love to know. So, I certainly agree with that kind of question because planning should have already started, but I think it’s unclear to everybody in terms of what that looks like. Is it actually in place?” Questioned Moore.
“A lot of the players that have come to the club over the last 24 to 36 months have been nowhere near good enough. So, recruitment is a big issue, Paul (Cooney). Who’s gonna be driving that recruitment?
“What does that look like? I think it’s really important for Rangers getting to a position where they can actually start swinging punches again because now there’s still some way away from that.”
Areas of concern and type of player Rangers need
Moore is right, Koppen needs to already have players lined up and ready to go early in the transfer window given the slow start last season.
Patrick Stewart has said players will be bought for Rangers, not for the new manager, which means that recruitment should already be underway.
There are issues all over the squad but three areas in particular need to be addressed; the centre of defence, midfield and on the wings.
To make matters worse, Rangers also need players who can hit the ground running.
It could be argued that that there are enough “project” players in terms of ones who are on an upward trajectory and can be developed, but the biggest issue is with those like Robin Propper and Nedim Bajrami.
Bought to be key players and regular starters, neither have looked anywhere near good enough for either the short or long term.
