Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon is full of praise for Rangers’ recent transfer market activity with Todd Cantwell, Kieran Dowell and Jack Butland impressive additions to Mick Beale’s roster.
Last season’s tally of 92 points was – that Invincible season under Steven Gerrard aside – Rangers‘ best return since bouncing back from their demotion to the third tier over a decade ago.
And with Beale adding the likes of Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland, Sam Lammers and Kieran Dowell to his squad in the early weeks of the summer, the blue-clad club look potentially very well placed to take advantage of a Celtic side who suddenly find themselves in a period of transition following Ange Postecoglou’s departure.
Rangers rebuild underway
“Rangers finished the season pretty well. The only problem Michael had is that they couldn’t get one over on Celtic when it really mattered. I mean, they finished the season on 92 points!” Lennon, who was the Hoops boss last time Rangers won the league, tells talkSPORT (19 June, 11am).
“There is a rebuild on there. Alfredo Morelos has gone. Allan McGregor has gone. Ryan Kent has gone. Big players and big personalities. Michael will want to put his own stamp on the squad.”
Lennon feels Rangers may be onto a good thing with the additions of Butland – a former England international who should prove an upgrade on the 41-year-old McGregor – and a talented, cultured central midifelder who played alongside the already-influential Cantwell south of the border at Norwich City.
“Cantwell finished the season well. I think Dowell is a good signing. I saw Jack Butland going in there which will improve the goalkeeping department,” Lennon adds. “But he’s still got a massive challenge on his hands with the fact that Brendan – an elite manager – is going in there.
“It’s a huge challenge for Michael and the Rangers team. But I’m sure one they will be looking forward to as well.”
Sam Lammers, the £3 million signing from Atalanta, became Beale’s fourth new face of the summer last week. Jose Cifuentes, Cyriel Dessers and Jonathan Panzo may be the next through the door.
