Rangers didn’t quite enjoy the transfer window that many hoped for with Philippe Clement still working with one hand behind his back.
No experienced playmaker arrived to marshal the midfield, although the manager is considering the free agent market to rectify this, and a late move for Samuel Edozie saw fans teased with what might have been.
Hamza Igamane was added to the forward line and, alongside Cyriel Dessers and Danilo, will be expected to fire the goals needed to bring success to Rangers.
- READ MORE: How Rangers should line-up for January Old Firm, will Philippe Clement make these seven changes?
Rangers right to pull the plug on £3m Lawrence Shankland
One player who didn’t make a much-touted move was Lawrence Shankland, the Hearts striker long linked with a move to his boyhood club.
Now, according to HITC, Rangers were considering a deadline day move for the Scotland international but baulked at a £3m price tag.
Understandably, the money was needed by Philippe Clement elsewhere with Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Nedim Bajrami signed to provide cover in defence and in the forward line.
There was a time when signing Shankland made a lot of sense, however, with the players already at the club, it doesn’t make sense on the wage bill or in the transfer budget.
Then there are things like the number of long-range goals and low xG goals that Shankland scored last season, that just isn’t sustainable.
With no goals in six games this season, Shankland’s luck appears to have dried up.
Speaking to Four Four Two in the summer at the European Championships, the 29-year old reflected on the constant speculation linking him to Rangers:
“Honestly?
“I see it as noise in the background. If anything, it’s a sign that I’m doing something right.
“It’s not something I’m hyping up, so I just let it wash over me and concentrate on football. That will always be the priority for me. On top of that, I would never disrespect Hearts. They’ve been great for me, and I like to think I’ve been good for them in return.”
Rangers no longer need Shankland
Rangers fans saw their first glimpse of Hamza Igamane against Celtic.
The Morocco youth international looked composed in his cameo appearance and was productive every time he had possession.
Clement has been impressed with the 21-year old in training and will be glad to see the £1.7m signing making matchday squads and capable of making an impact.
Now that he is fit and with Rabbi Matondo injured, Igamane has to be given the same chance that Ross McCausland was last year.
Dessers is an established senior player and, despite his faults, can score goals against most teams in the league.
Danilo is still returning to full strength but has looked sharper with every game and took his goal well against Ross County.
Where would Lawrence Shankland fit into this?
He’s slower than Dessers, who doesn’t have the mobility needed, and he isn’t going to get any faster as he gets older.
On a free, maybe, but for once, Rangers made the right decision not to spend money on a previously prolific striker.
