Whether Rangers’ first summer window under the Philippe Clement – Nils Koppen axis proves to be a success, only time will tell.
Kris Boyd, the legendary former Ibrox hitman, fears that Clement’s squad is ‘weaker’ now than it was in May, following the departure of numerous experienced campaigners and the arrival of many an unknown quantity in their place.
But, while the jury remains out on the players Rangers brought in, the good news is that the Glasgow giants appear to have got things right position-wise.
They needed a left-back and they got one, in Jefte Vital.
The ‘really exciting’ Nedim Bajrami fills that left-wing void, Vaclav Cerny could be the solution on the opposite flank, while Connor Barron, Robin Propper and Neraysho Kasanwirjo should help offset the departures of Ryan Jack and Connor Goldson.
Clement feels that Kasanwirjo – a versatile defender signed on loan from Feyenoord – should add cover both at centre-half and in either full-back position. Should he adapt to life in Scotland, the club’s latest Eredivisie import could come to represent three signings rolled into one.
Rangers made Kaiky bid before signing Neraysho Kasanwirjo
Given the rather hurried nature of his last-gasp arrival, it’s fair to assume that Kasanwirjo was not Rangers’ first-choice defensive target heading towards Friday’s 11pm deadline.
Especially when you consider that, according to Fabrizio Romano, Rangers had already seen a bid rejected by Almeria for fellow centre-half Kaiky Fernandes.
The Scottish Premiership runners-up reportedly tried to sign Kaiky on a loan-to-buy deal which may have set them back around £6.5 million.
So why did Rangers end up with Kasanwirjo instead?
According to Diario AS, Almeria have head coach Rubi to thank. He reportedly convinced Kaiky that not only would he have a big part to play in Spain, but that Ibrox was also not the ideal destination for the youngster to continue his development.
Whether or not the latter point is true, Rubi has been as good as his word as far as Kaiky’s game time goes.
After spending last season on loan at Albacete, the former Santos starlet has started every one of Almeria’s three matches in the Spanish second tier so far in 2024/25.
Kaiky was convinced to turn down Ibrox offer
“I have a lot of confidence,” Kaiky tells AS, the return of Rubi for a second spell in the Almeria dugout perhaps the biggest reason why Rangers missed out.
“The minutes I had in the Second Division (with Albacete) were very important for me to grow as a player. Now, I think I am better as a footballer in all aspects and I have room to improve more and more.
“This season, (after Rubi’s return) we are calm. We know that we have had a good pre-season, which is the most important thing, and we didn’t do so well last season. We started well, we are working well and that gives us peace of mind to work.”
Kasanwirjo, meanwhile, could make his Rangers debut after the September international break.
Sunday’s Old Firm derby with Celtic came too soon for both him and fellow deadline day acquisition Nedim Bajrami, though the trip to Dundee United on the 15th of this month could serve to kick-start their Gers careers.
“Neraysho is a versatile defender,” Clement said last week, via Rangers’ official YouTube channel.
He feels that Kasanwirjo’s admittedly brief spell at Feyenoord should help the 22-year-old adapt to life in another of Europe’s most vociferous arenas.
“The important thing for me also is that he’s used to playing in Feyenoord, in De Kuip,” Clement adds. “A stadium where you have a similar atmosphere to Ibrox, with fans who are demanding, who are on top of the players, who are on top of the pitch.
“Even though he’s a young player, he has the experience – also with Holland U21 – and playing abroad already.
“He can give us versatility to be one of the centre-backs. But (Kasanwirjo) also can play on right or left full-back. He gives more depth in the squad in that way.
“With Nedim Bajrami, we have somebody with experience at the highest levels, who can play in midfield, but also can play on the wings.
“So, that helps the squad in the totality.”
