It was a summer transfer window that started with a flurry of activity before the European Championships intervened to delay Rangers business and the transfer window really taking off.
This didn’t stop a host of names being linked though and Philippe Clement will have been glad to see the window shut and with it, questions about possible new additions to his squad.
Some players, like Abdallah Sima and Oussama Targhalline would have been welcome additions, but who were the three players that Rangers did well to avoid bringing to Ibrox?
Kenny McLean
Five years ago the signing made sense when the international was first linked.
Yes, the 32-year old is now playing in a deeper role and has even played in central defence, but he simply doesn’t have the pace and mobility to compete with Rangers biggest problem – Celtic’s midfield.
Mentioned as a serious option early in the window, it was a rumour that seemed to die with Scotland’s chances at the Euros.
Scott McKenna
Another who, like McLean, probably would have been fine for 75% of Rangers games, especially on a Bosman.
As seen again at Parkhead though, it’s easy to see why quicker and more mobile defenders like Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Clinton Nsiala have been signed.
He probably would have been better than Ben Davies, but Leon Balogun is a safe pair of hands to turn to already.
McKenna just isn’t good enough in possession to be a Rangers centre-half.
Lawrence Shankland
Last summer was the time to sign Shankland.
This season, he looks like he has lost a yard of pace he didn’t have and is yet to score in six games.
Rangers need pace, skill and athleticism in the forward line and Shankland isn’t a natural in any department.
With no penalties and 20 yard screamers, the Hearts skipper’s goals have dried up.
The time has passed and it was a £3m signing well dodged.
Clement knew full well the size of the task at Rangers
Speaking when the window shut, Clemwnt was at pains to explain just how big a job he had on his hands:
“These have been really busy months and weeks,” said Clement ahead of last Sunday’s Old Firm clash away at Celtic.
“I spoke about it at the end of last season – it was the end of a cycle at the club. I don’t think everybody realised truly what I was talking about.
“You had a squad where a lot of players were into their 30s, would not progress any more, would not become any better than they were. You also had players who were at the end of a contract and were going to leave the club.
“There are 16 players from last season’s squad who are not here anymore. And there is still a possibility – not around players who are in the squad training, but from players who are not training with the squad – that they will still leave the club now.
“That’s a lot, that’s for sure an end of a cycle. It was also in staff that we had to make some changes to what we did. It’s a massive rebuild.”
It was never going to be a one window rebuild.
Clement spoke about the need for a number six and late attempts to sign Samuel Edozie show that he felt a winger was needed too.
Homegrown players are still needed, but ones who don’t fit how the club are trying to play would be expensive and a waste of resources.
Thankfully, on this occasion, Rangers didn’t buy local.
