Rangers have looked better in the last two games with Philippe Clement’s side starting to click.
There is still a long way to go, and a 90-minute performance seems like nirvana – the manager’s dream to see a third or fourth goal might not be too distant though.
What has become apparent, is that the squad still has serious issues when the first-choice players aren’t playing.
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Philippe Clement knows Rangers still need to strengthen
Vaclav Cerny has shown what the other wingers should be doing and Clement will be hoping that two holes in particular can be filled.
There are names being linked with Morgan Whittaker and Oussama Targhalline the ones that Nils Koppen should be grafting to get over the line.
Hannibal would be a sizeable coup, and for all that he would vastly improve the midfield, a number six and winger would make the biggest difference to the team.
Whittaker, branded a “real talent” by Wayne Rooney, can play on either flank or behind the striker and is capable of producing the one thing that Rangers need the most – numbers.
To be precise, goals and assists.
There is a reason Rangers bid a reported £7m for the 23-year old.
Something that Rabbi Matondo, Scott Wright and Ross McCausland simply aren’t capable of on a consistent basis.
Take Wright since pre-season, he has had five clear sights of goal with no more than the goalkeeper to beat and has managed just one goal.
None of them can do the ball Cerny delivered for Cyriel Dessers against Dynamo Kyiv.
Targhalline should be priority Rangers signing
As for Targhalline, he played a key role in Morocco’s run to an Olympic bronze medal after L’Equipe named Rangers as potential suitors.
He is a modern number six, a playmaker capable of putting out fires whilst elegant in possession too.
Think Steven Davis but 6ft 1inch tall.
This is why Targhalline would be a more uesful signing than Hannibal.
He would allow Mohamed Diomande to move further forward and do more damage higher up the pitch.
Rangers have attacking midfielders, but not a proper number six and the Moroccan is a carbon copy of Emre Can in terms of style of play.
Speaking recently, Philippe Clement was probed on recently speculation about potential transfers, both in, and out:
“I am not busy all this time with what amount of money a player is going out or coming in or all those things – that is not my job to do.
“My job is to see what is necessary for the squad, what profiles we need. And there are other people financially making decisions.
“It’s not me making that kind of decision.”
Whittaker and Targhalline both fit the player trading model that Koppen has detailed and the profile of talent that Clement needs.
It is up to those above him to make sure that the money is right and the manager is given the best tools for the job in hand.
