It is all well and good Rangers moving on a host of out-of-contract, arguably soon-to-be over-the-hill talent.
But while the departures of Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe represent a much-needed changing of the guards at Ibrox, what they did not do is add funds to Philippe Clement’s credit card.
Vaclav Cerny became the seventh new face of a hectic summer when joining on loan from VFL Wolfsburg on Friday.
If the jet-heeled winger can recapture the form that made him one of the Eredivisie’s most feared forwards not so long ago – 15 goals for FC Twente in 2022/23 – then Cerny could be a genuine game-changing addition.
Cerny joins Clinton Nsiala, Connor Barron, Hamza Igamane, Jefte Vital and Liam Kelly, plus the returning Oscar Cortes and Mohamed Diomande.
Iconic former captain Barry Ferguson, however, cannot shake the feeling that Rangers are still a little short in a few key areas. He feels that a midfielder, a centre-half, a striker and a right-back – amid links with the £1.6 million-rated Edier Ocampo – may still be required.
And, to make those additions happen, Rangers might have to shift a few players out the door while – this time – making a pretty penny in the process.
Todd Cantwell likely to leave Rangers this summer
The departure of Sam Lammers helps. The ill-fated £3 million signing returns to the Netherlands with FC Twente.
Ferguson also hopes to see Rangers bring in further funds by cashing in on the likes of Todd Cantwell, the £1.5 million signing from Norwich City likely to earn Clement a decent profit despite a hit-and-miss 18 months in Glasgow.
“What we have seen over the last two or three days tells me that the ball is finally beginning to roll,” Ferguson tells the Daily Record.
“Connor Goldson’s transfer has been green lighted, Sam Lammers is on his way back to Holland, Ianis Hagi looks like returning to Fiorentina, James Tavernier could be next. And Clement has revealed that Todd Cantwell wants out too.”
The former Monaco boss confirmed in midweek that Cantwell had handed in a transfer request. He will now train with the reserves until an exit can be agreed, per the Scottish Sun.
And while some – including former Rangers striker Kris Boyd – will greet Cantwell’s departure with less of a ‘goodbye’ and more a ‘good riddance’, Ferguson cannot help but feel a pang of regret about the way the 26-year-old’s Gers career is shuddering to a halt.
Transfer request submitted
“That one did come out of nowhere but, as much as Cantwell’s transfer request came as a surprise, it was hardly a shock. It’s been clear for months now that he’s not been settled,” adds Ferguson.
“I’m actually sad that it’s come to this because I’ve always rated him as a player. I still believe he has the ability to be a difference maker and, having met him a couple of times, I don’t have a bad word to say about him.
“I certainly don’t think he’s a bad apple by any stretch of the imagination.
“But sometimes things just don’t work out for all sorts of reasons and it looks like his time is now up. That’s a shame but so be it. Hopefully, Rangers can get a few quid for him, free up his wage, and use the money raised to help Clement get the players he does want.”
Hagi – another playmaker who fancies himself in the number ten role – could leave too after losing his number seven shirt to Cortes.
Fiorentina have been linked, though the Serie A giants may have closed that door with the potential £13.5 million acquisition of Monza talisman Andrea Colpani.
