Rangers transfer deadline day started promisingly, only to end in a familiar disappointment and with Philippe Clement being in a weaker position than when the window opened.
The manager would have wanted more than just Rafael Fernandes to be paraded at Ibrox and a late bid for Yorbe Vertessen suggested that a winger could be a possibility.
One didn’t arrive with the only other announcement being that of Lyall Cameron signing a pre-contract agreement which leaves the Rangers squad looking short in one or two areas.
Rangers squad depth after transfer window closes
Free agents could still be signed, however, this is who Clement will have to rely on for the rest of the season.
Goalkeeper
A position that has been talked about recently due to Jack Butland’s injury and then return to the Rangers starting XI.
The nine times capped England international hasn’t looked back to his best yet, but goalkeeper is no different to anywhere else despite calls for Liam Kelly to get his place back.
Mason Munn is getting invaluable experience in and around the first team but will probably be heading out on loan next season.
Right back
With Adam Devine out on loan at Queen’s Park and Jack Harkness at Stirling Albion, James Tavernier is basically being covered Leon King until Dujon Sterling is fit.
As seen recently though, Ridvan Yilmaz can also fill in.
The only problem is, Sterling and Ridvan aren’t exactly the most reliable when it comes to being available week in, week out.
Left back
Jefte was signed in the summer as a project player to be developed and given time to settle into a big club with the pressure of having to win every week, however, he has made the position his own.
When fit, Ridvan offers a similar profile in terms of ball carrying and attacking intent, if maybe not the same aerial ability.
With Robbie Fraser at Livingston, Clinton Nsiala could move over one position if Clement got desperate.
Centre half
A position that caused problems recently due to injuries but is now in good shape.
The addition of Rafael Fernandes is an interesting one given his profile but the emergence of Nsiala has been one of a few positive stories of this campaign.
The former AC Milan youth player has earned the right to partner John Souttar with Robin Propper being the first choice rotation option.
Leon Balogun should now be a mentor for the younger players because there is no need for him to be seen for the rest of the season, unless another injury crisis dictates otherwise.
Central midfield
Nicolas Raskin might be carrying a few knocks but he will have to dig deep over the next few months given the shortage of options in the engine room.
His regular partner Mohamed Diomande is the only natural number eight with Connor Barron and Bailey Rice providing the backup.
How long Barron will be out injured for isn’t yet known, however, it can’t be long given that no reinforcements arrived during the window.
Paul Nsio has made his debut in recent weeks and won’t get a better chance to make an impact between now and the end of the season.
Attacking midfield
A position that has caused problems all season.
The departure of Todd Cantwell has seen Tom Lawrence, Nedim Bajrami, Ianis Hagi, Danilo and Hamza Igamane all play in the No.10 or support striker position.
Hagi is the most natural in the role, but injuries elsewhere mean that he is needed on the wing.
The pairing of Danilo and Igamane has worked well with Bajrami yet to really show what he is capable of.
Wing
If Rangers spend money on one player in the summer it has to be Vaclav Cerny.
Even at the reported £8m asking price, he is worth every penny.
After Cerny, Clement’s best options are Hagi and Bajrami with Ross McCausland and Findlay Curtis likely to get more minutes too.
Oscar Cortes must be given time to recover properly so that he can build the resilience needed to become a key player next season and beyond.
At 20-years old, he at least has time on his side.
Strikers
The one area of the park that is in pretty good shape.
All are chipping in with numbers and pushing each other to improve their performance levels although Igamane has looked like he could do with a break recently.
Cyriel Dessers is back in form and not just in front of goal either, his work off the ball and in linking play has been much improved to the extent that he is looking like the £4.5m player Rangers signed.
The two major areas of concern are midfield and on the wing. An injury to Raskin or Cerny and Rangers are very short.
It makes Nills Koppen’s job in the summer easier though because it is painfully obvious where he needs to strengthen.
