Rangers were a couple of signings away from having a solid transfer window which could be the difference at the end of the season.
Against Celtic, it became clear that Philippe Clement not signing a number six proved to be a mistake, as did not signing Samuel Edozie, whatever the last-minute hitch might have been.
It wasn’t that Rangers weren’t linked with players either with almost every week seeing a new name, here are the top five that got away.
Albion Rrahmani
At one point it looked like Rangers were close to securing the signature of the Kosovo international, however, it soon became clear that there needed to be space made in the squad before £3m could be spent on another striker.
Hamza Igamane was signed, Cyriel Dessers knocked back an offer from MLS and the rest is history.
Josip Brekalo
One of the biggest factors in recent seasons has been Rangers lack of goals and creativity from the wingers.
Linked late in the window on a possible loan deal, Brekalo had the elite level experience that Clement was looking for.
Despite interest from various clubs, Brekalo stayed at Fiorentina, although there have been reports of a last minute loan move to Turkey.
Abdallah Sima
For most of the summer it looked like all Rangers were waiting for was for one or two wingers to be cleared off the wage bill to allow for a move for Sima.
The Senegal international was in constant contact with Philippe Clement and made a series of Rangers related social media posts.
Unfortunately, Brighton couldn’t wait any longer and the 22-year old moved to Stade Brestois in Ligue 1 on a season long loan deal.
Maybe next summer.
Couhaib Driouech
Confirming that Rangers made him and offer, the now PSV Eindhoven winger revealed that attempts were being made to strengthen the attack.
A fee of around £2m was all it would have taken to persuade Excelsior to part ways with their star man, but he chose to stay in the Eredivisie with title challengers PSV.
With 3 goals and two assists in his first five games, it’s proving to be a costly miss.
Oussama Targhalline
The perfect modern-day number six.
With just a year left of his current contract at Le Havre, Rangers might could go back in for the Morocco Under-23 international who lead his team to third place in the Olympics.
As comfortable on the ball as Steven Davis, at 6ft 1inch tall, he also has the physicality needed for the Scottish game.
Similar in terms of style of play to Barry Ferguson, he could yet be the long-term answer to a problem position.
Some of these players became out of reach the moment they left their clubs, however, for Brekalo, Targhalline and Sima, it is very much a case of watch this space.
