Philippe Clement has spent much of the January transfer window deferring to Patrick Stewart and insisting that any insight into Rangers’ winter plans will come from the mouth of their CEO.
And, finally the Rangers fans have their answer.
With January a third of the way over already, and the team sitting a distant second in the Scottish Premiership table seemingly no closer to welcoming any new faces to Ibrox, concerns are growing on the blue side of Glasgow.
Whether those concerns prove to be unfounded, only time will tell.
But Stewart, the chief executive discussing a range of topics during a wide-ranging interview ahead of Sunday’s clash with St Johnstone, insists that while Rangers will not go mad before the February deadline, there is certainly space in Clement’s squad for one or two additions.
- READ MORE: Rangers Transfer History 2016-Present
Patrick Stewart speaks out on potential January additions at Rangers
“It wouldn’t be as many as three or four [signings], no,” Stewart says, while also confirming the Rangers board remain committed to the under-fire Philippe Clement. “We would be looking at one, possibly two.”
Rangers are reportedly leading the chase for Dundee’s Lyall Cameron, though any deal is likely to be done in the summer rather than now. Rangers have been linked with CSKA Moscow midfielder Sasa Zdjelar too, alongside Marko Soldo of NK Osijek and Varazdin starlet Leon Belcar.
Stewart, however, feels that the Rangers roster is currently stronger than many have given it credit for, Clement’s options limited recently due to injuries to the likes of James Tavernier, John Souttar, Jack Butland, Tom Lawrence, Dujon Sterling, Leon Balogun and Neraysho Kasanwirjo.
Nico Raskin was also suspended as Rangers’ ‘scandalous’ away form continued at Dundee on Thursday night.
“If you look at the squad, when you’ve got players that are fit and playing at their peak, then the team has shown it is good enough,” Stewart agues. “Consistency is the reason [why we are so far off the top]. Consistency is the challenge.
“The players are clearly good enough. You don’t beat Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox, you don’t beat Nice 4-1 away from home, you don’t go toe-to-toe in a cup final and many would say the team should have won, you don’t draw against Spurs with players that aren’t good enough.”
Rangers CEO rules out Hamza Igamane exit amid Everton interest
Striking sensation Hamza Igamane has been linked with Premier League strugglers Everton. Stewart insists that Rangers currently have no plans to let any of their players depart, though, despite reports claiming Cyriel Dessers is in talks over an Ibrox exit.
“We don’t want to sell Hamza in January,” Stewart explains. “We want him to be here for the second part of the season, I’ll be very clear on that.
“I think I would be told it was irresponsible if we sold a player. There’s always a balance, but January is not typically a window in which those sorts of transactions take place.
“We’re always, as a board, going to be looking at the long-term and striking a balance in the long-term. That’s our duty, but Hamza’s only came into the team and started scoring, and we want him to be here for the second part of the season, as I’m sure all the supporters do as well.”
