Rangers have taken a new approach to developing and moving players out the door with Nils Koppen a busy man in his position as technical director.
He wasn’t as busy as Philippe Clement would have liked in terms of signing new players, however, the manager – for now – will be satisfied that the majority of his squad is capable of making a contribution.
What he also has is academy players out on loan getting much needed game time and high earners freeing up space on the wage bill with three players in particular showing that Rangers have made the right decision.
Rangers finally get loan system right with three immediate successes
In the past, the club has been bad for hoarding non-contributors just for the sake of it, just in case there is an injury crisis. A senior member of the squad should never be fourth or fifth choice for any position.
All this does is block the pathway for youngsters.
Robbie Fraser
One youngster who had two established players in front of him but had previously acquitted himself well under Clement is Robbie Fraser.
Capable of playing at left-back or on the left wing, the 21-year old couldn’t have started his short-term deal at Livingston any better.
A first senior goal for Fraser has been followed by a string of impressive displays which saw him earn Livingston’s player of the month award.
If he continues to play at this level, there is no reason why he can’t be considered as a genuine option to compete for left-back next season – especially if the interest in Ridvan Yilmaz becomes concrete.
Ben Davies
For one reason or another, Ben Davies just never seemed truly comfortable in a Rangers shirt.
The 29-year old would have periods of good form only to then make critical errors or look like he wanted to be somewhere else, now, he is being called a ‘brick wall’ by Birmingham City’s social media team.
Questions about his physicality don’t add up either when he has spent his whole career in the English Championship and is flying in League One – hardly two leagues known for their continental approach to the game.
With regular games, he has found consistency and leadership and there will be more than just Birmingham City looking to take Davies off Rangers’ hands in the summer – if he stays fit until the end of the season.
Kieran Dowell
It is a small sample size, but for Davies, see Kieran Dowell. He had a solid reputation in England before joining Rangers, even if he had somewhat lost his way.
The 10 goals and five assists for Nottingham Forest on loan from Everton is still his best season as a senior professional and an indicator of what he is capable of when he is confident and on form.
From day one, against Kilmarnock away from home, Dowell just never seemed to get up to speed in Scotland or understand how different playing for Rangers was going to be.
At Birmingham, he looks to have got his mojo back, is playing with a freedom that hasn’t been seen at Ibrox or anywhere else in the SPFL and they are already singing his name.
Another who won’t be short of offers if the goals and influence in games continues.
Celtic turn players around very quickly if they look like they aren’t going to settle or make them money and it is Koppen’s job to find the right club for those who can’t or won’t adapt.
For the younger players, it’s about assessing if they can return and do a job for the first team, for those like Davies and Dowell, it’s about bringing money in and getting them off the wage bill.
A job that looks like it could be considerably easier this summer, than it was last.
