The success of Rangers’ January transfer window activity is making a mockery of Celtic’s claims that there was no value to be found in the market, according to former Ibrox hitman Kris Boyd.
In the end, only two players arrived at Parkhead between January 1st and February 1st. And while one of those has been a big hit so far – Norwich City loanee Adam Idah scoring five goals in his first five Premiership games – the general consensus is that Celtic’s squad is weaker now than it was when the fireworks were lighting up the Hogmanay sky, especially after the Hoops shipped out Liel Abada, David Turnbull and Alexandro Bernabei.
In contrast, the success of Rangers’ three midseason additions, Boyd argues, is making an already under-fire Celtic board look rather silly.
Fabio Silva and Mohamed Diomande combined beautifully to set up Tom Lawrence’s opener in the impressive 2-2 Europa League draw at Benfica on Thursday night. And while Oscar Cortes’ loan spell at Ibrox has been curtailed by injury, the Colombian speedster was well on his way to securing ‘fan favourite’ status after a flying start to his own Ibrox career.
Rangers benefitting from January heroics
“Celtic complained to their shareholders that they just couldn’t find the right targets in the January transfer window. Rangers didn’t seem to have that problem,” Boyd tells the Scottish Sun.
“When the Hoops announced their impressive financial results, they told fans they would have loved to have spent more on new stars, but couldn’t get the deals done. Meanwhile, Philippe Clement was bringing in Mohamed Diomande, Fabio Silva and Oscar Cortes.”
This is not the first time Rangers have made excellent use of the winter window either. Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell joined from Standard Liege and Norwich in 2022, and both – the latter in particular – have played their part in the club’s current run to the top of the Premiership table.
Diomande a big hit at Ibrox
“Diomande and Silva are starting to show valuable additions can be landed in the middle of the season,” Boyd adds, the ducking and driving Diomande a potential bargain with a £4 million purchase clause in his Nordsjaelland contract.
“He’s not the biggest in terms of physique, but he’s tenacious, he can pass the ball and he’s not afraid to take it in tight areas. He’s also got a strike on him, as he showed with his goals against St Johnstone and Hearts.
“Of course it’s early days, and I’m not getting carried away. But Diomande has the potential to be an all-round midfielder for Gers. It certainly wouldn’t be getting carried away to say he’s an upgrade on Cifuentes, who’s already been shipped out to Brazil.”
Cifuentes did not score a single goal in nine league appearances for Rangers before losing his place and joining Cruzeiro on loan. Diomande, in contrast, already has two goals and one assist in royal blue, and is a major reason why Clement’s side have overtaken their Old Firm rivals at the top of the charts.
