Rangers have been extremely busy in this transfer, as they have been in, well, the last four. Steven Gerrard was always going to have a rebuilding job on his hands and immediately he appears happy with what he has at his disposal.
Time will tell how these players perform as whole, and they’ll be judged in success, but here’s how they’ve performed so far.
15 IN (5 ON LOAN)
Full transfers – 10
Scott Arfield (Free) (7/10) (Burnley)
The Canadian international joined in the Summer from Burnley boasting over 100 English Premier League appearances. Returning to Scotland from Falkirk, the versatile midfielder is at the peak of his powers at 29. Has had a solid start and will grow into role.
Allan McGregor (Free) (9/10) (Hull City)
A steal for Rangers on a free, McGregor returned to Ibrox with a point to prove. At 36, he’s like the Scottish Gigi Buffon and just seems to get better with age. Greegsy has been a revelation and Rangers have looked every inch more solid since he got between the sticks.
Jamie Murphy (Undisclosed – reported £1.2m) (6/10) (Brighton)
The boyhood Rangers fan joined on loan in January and had added goals from the flank in the latter half of last season. He started this season the same with a goal against FK Shkupi but faded quickly. An injury at Rugby Park has ruled him out for the season.
Nikola Katic (Undisclosed – reported £1.5m) (7.5/10) (Slaven Bepulo)
Croatian international Katic is still young but looks a steal for the reported £1m+ Rangers paid for him. Composed, passionate and intelligent, the defender is a major upgrade on what we’ve had at Ibrox recently. Will only get better.
Connor Goldson (Undisclosed – reported £3.5m) (9/10) (Brighton)
The marquee signing of the Summer has been a revelation. Goldson is a Premier League defender and without him Rangers would probably never have reached the group stages. He guides Katic, has a superb relationship with McGregor, and bar one poor showing v Motherwell, has been consistently our best player so far.
Jon Flanagan (Free) (6.5/10) (Bolton)
Had a solid start but Flanno has fell away in recent games. Granted, the England cap has been playing out of position, but he’s looked genuinely stretched in his last two performances. Motherwell and FC Ufa were not his finest moments, but with such high pedigree you expect him to perform.
Borna Barisic (Reported £2.2m) (7/10) (NK Osijek)
Barisic was signed after really impressing against Osijek, and the Croat wingback is a clearly talented player. Can whip a cross into the box and will give you legs all day. It’s a little bit early to really analyse his contribution, but an assist v St. Mirren and solid performances against Motherwell and Celtic have done nothing to dampen his reputation. A good piece of business.
Kyle Lafferty (Undisclosed – reported £300k) (8/10) (Hearts)
Lafferty is a top signing for Rangers. Ex-player, prolific scorer in the league and an experienced head, he has fitted back in as if he’s never been gone. Lafferty has started brightly and nabbed two against Motherwell. Don’t best against him adding plenty more this year.
Eros Grezda (£2m) (n/a) (NK Osijek)
Grezda is another player who came from Osijek but with him arriving to close to the window closing he has yet to play. A tricky, direct winger who scores goal, Grezda is being touted as an exciting prospect at Rangers. Also an Albanian international.
Gareth McAuley (Free) (n/a) (WBA)
McAuley joined after the window shut because he was a free agent. The ex-West Brom and 79 times capped Northern Irish centre back has been signed for experienced back-up and should prove a solid addition.
Loan signings
Ovie Ejaria (7.5/10) (Liverpool)
The best thing about Ejaria is that we are still to see the best of him. He has had some massive performances and in other games been largely ineffectual. A very talented footballer, he’s adding goals from midfield and could have a massive season at Ibrox.
Lassana Coulibaly (8.5/10) (Angers)
Coulibaly, the “destroyer” from Mali, was a revelation in early Rangers games. That much so he’s been a huge miss since he’s been injured. He’s a box-to-box midfielder and an athletic presence in the middle. He’s only injured because he filled the void left by a spare man against St. Mirren.
Umar Sadiq (5/10) (AS Roma)
Sadiq joined to fanfare and perhaps it’s a big harsh he only gets 5, but he hasn’t played. When he has, it’s been from the bench and has ran around a little like a headless chicken. He needs time to settle, and scored a double for the youth team, but needs to do more to convince us.
Ryan Kent (6.5/10) (Liverpool)
Kent has had games and looks a tricky player with a solid touch and ability to dribble. That said, he hasn’t supplied enough. The final ball and shot have been lacking, and he seems frustrated at times out wide. Needs a big performance and a goal to really get going.
Joe Worral (n/a)
The highly rated England youth international centre back joined on deadline day and offers real quality at centre back. We’ve yet to see him play but he’ll be hard pushed to break up Katic and Goldson. Expect to see the tall defender very soon.