As the January transfer window enters its final fortnight, one suspects incoming Rangers chief executive James Bisgrove might be feeling his shirt a little tight around his neck.
The new Rangers CEO claimed upon the appointment of Philippe Clement back in October that the Belgian’s transfer recommendations would be taken seriously by the club.
“I believe the board and investors will be receptive to (Clement’s) feedback in terms of the improvements required” Bisgrove told journalists at the manager’s unveiling.
But with less than two weeks to go until the notoriously tricky January window slams shut, squad improvements have been lacking as fears mount about an injury-ravaged Rangers’ capabilities of mounting a serious title challenge.
Old Firm gap to Champions League chasm
So far only Wolves attacker Fabio Silva has been added on loan – with Sam Lammers heading out to Utrecht on a temporary deal – in what’s so far been a quiet window.
But with more than just the prestige of a league title on the line this year, a failure to properly equip Philippe Clement for phase two of his Rangers tenure could be financially disastrous.
Automatic qualification for the new-look Champions League group stages – propped up by a bumper pay-out for the clubs involved – looks to be essential if the financial gap between Rangers and Celtic isn’t to widen further.
With the Times reporting that an extra £30m will be dished out to each participant, the guaranteed difference being a league winner and a runner up is monumental.
Indeed, should Rangers fail to qualify for the Champions League next season whilst Celtic make the group stages, it could pave the way for an extended period of financial dominance at Parkhead.
Conversely, Rangers winning the title and qualifying for the tournament, and Celtic floundering once again in Europe, would go a huge way stopping the financial gap between the Old Firm developing into a chasm.
With both sides neck-and-neck heading into the second half of the season, Rangers technically having the more successful campaign as things stand, this is a January window of controlled gambles.
Rangers transfer business still outstanding
One thing which cannot happen – and by all accounts the latest from Philippe Clement suggests it won’t – is that Rangers do not improve this squad in the coming 13 days.
The Rangers boss has hinted at incoming arrivals but with the Ibrox recruitment department sewn up tighter than Tam Mullen’s purse strings, we’ve barely heard a peep.
In fact, only in the quashing of ambitious reports have Rangers let slip of their plans and we’re in for a very interesting few weeks indeed.
Left-back continues to be a subject of much debate – even if Ridvan Yilmaz is making the slot his own – whilst the striker is berth is clearly one which needs improved on.
Fabio Silva – who chose Rangers over Celtic this January – joins Cyriel Dessers as a striker option but with Danilo and Kemar Roofe sidelined indefinitely we need another hitman.
It’s not quite the Bat-shuayi signal, but Lawrence Shankland’s time at Ibrox might finally be upon us. Unless Hearts have their way of course.
Then there is an injury to Kieran Dowell, which adds to the need for increased creativity in the middle of park, something which has been sorely missing all season long.
Add into that Abdallah Sima’s AFCON absence, and comments about a shortage of wingers following the friendly draw with Copenhagen, and suddenly talk of a versatile attacking wide man is back on the table.
Plugging these gaps in the Rangers squad could not only be the difference between a Premiership title and conceding yet another crown to our Old Firm rivals.
But it could also be the difference between either plugging the financial gap between the two clubs or letting it crumble into a chasm which we’ll struggle to bridge.
Newly appointed but almost certainly under pressure to deliver, let’s just hope James Bisgrove was right with his earlier Philippe Clement transfer prediction.
