As the football gods giveth Leon Balogun back to Philippe Clement ahead of Rangers’ midweek clash with Aberdeen, Robin Propper was quickly taken away.
There was an unwelcome sense of irony in the fact that Balogun’s return to the side was accelerated by yet another defensive injury. Robin Propper failed to last until the final whistle as Rangers beat Aberdeen 3-0 at Ibrox.
Since the start of December, Philippe Clement has had to contend with the absences of Balogun, John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Dujon Sterling.
Kasanwirjo may have played his final game on loan from Feyenoord, Souttar is still potentially weeks away, and the extent of Propper’s problems should become apparent over the coming days.
So while Clement may have been wary of throwing 37-year-old Balogun back into selection, the embattled Belgian suddenly finds himself with no real alternative.
Of course, Rangers could yet pursue solutions in the transfer market, even if loan deals feel more likely than permanent ones at this stage.
And while Rangers Review insist that Rangers are not yet in talks to sign Burnley’s Hjalmar Ekdal, that does not mean a January swoop for the seven-time Sweden international can be ruled out with a fortnight of the window remaining.
Hjalmar Ekdal’s Burnley injury record should be a concern for Rangers
Burnley paid a reported £2.5 million for Ekdal two years ago.
The former Djurgardens stopper has started a grand total of 14 league matches since then, however. Thanks largely to a hamstring problem, Ekdal’s only action so far across 2024/25 came in last weekend’s FA Cup third-round victory over Reading.
So, at a time in which Rangers’ defensive options have been severely stretched by a seemingly never-ending injury crisis, Ekdal doesn’t feel like much of a silver bullet solution.
Certainly not after missing 37 games, and nine months, through hamstring and knee issues respectively over the last two years.
“He’s struggled for minutes at Turf Moor this season and is surplus to requirements,” former England international Carlton Palmer tells Football League World, Ekdal also linked with Queens Park Rangers and a number of Serie A clubs.
“The main concern with Ekdal would be his injury problems. He has missed a lot of game-time through injury. He hasn’t played a lot of football. He did feature in the FA Cup recently in the second half and extra-time, but it’s clear that [Burnley manager] Scott Parker wants to move him on.
“I think it would be a good move for him to go to QPR, but they would have to be careful due to his injuries.”
Rangers urged to sign Grant Hanley from Norwich City
Queens Park Rangers’ Scotland-based namesakes will have scribbled Ekdal’s worrying fitness record in the ‘cons’ column as they look for a defender with more ‘pros’ to their name.
According to reports in his native Sweden, Rangers had expressed an interest in bringing Ekdal to Glasgow at the start of January. Whether they opt to step up their pursuit before the February deadline remains to be seen, but Ekdal’s lack of game time south of the border does little to suggest he would hit the ground running.
Fellow Championship benchwarmer Grant Hanley could also be available this month.
And while the 33-year-old veteran would be a risk himself – he is no longer a starter at Norwich City – his vast knowledge of the Scottish game has former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell urging a swoop for Hanley before the month is out.
“I think Grant Hanley comes with a huge amount of experience,” Bell argues. “He likes the contact, the physical challenge, and Rangers are lacking that. Any ball that comes into the box, they are really struggling with corners and set pieces.
“Very, very vulnerable.
“So yes, he would definitely be one you would be looking at if he’s affordable and available. It is definitely a position they need to strengthen.”
