We’re a fortnight out from the new campaign kicking off and it’s fair to say Rangers’ transfer activity is making fans a little nervous.
The Gers are in the midst of an uncertain summer, with several of the club’s most experienced players leaving at the end of their contracts without a swelling budget to replace them.
Rangers won’t be playing at Ibrox for an as of yet undetermined length of time, the club’s CEO has left for Saudi Arabia, and Rangers captain James Tavernier is on the verge of an exit.
To top it off the devastating Rangers injury curse shows no signs of abating.
And just as the Gers lose one player from an increasingly short area of the park, one high-profile target has all but ruled out a switch to Ibrox to only heighten the nerves.
Midfield target rules out Rangers move
Heading into Rangers’ eventual 2-0 defeat to a youthful Manchester United side in Edinburgh, fans already knew Nicolas Raskin was set to be ruled out due to injury.
In fact, news that the Belgian midfielder is set to be out for ‘five to six weeks’ following a rough challenge in the 2-1 defeat to Ajax last weekend was so predictable it was met with a collective titter in Glasgow.
Rangers have already lost experienced campaigners Ryan Jack and John Lundstram to the club’s self-defeating contract policy and only Connor Barron has come into Ibrox in the position.
The young Aberdeen midfielder looks a bright player but for all intents and purposes, the 21-year-old is a work in progress.
With the much-heralded Mohamed Diomande – who is only 22 – currently the most senior and experienced midfielder in the team, it’s clear that Rangers are looking to strengthen in the position.
Bluenose midfielder Kenny McLean is never far away from links to Rangers and now the Norwich City midfielder has been discussing his future.
McLean’s agent fuelled rumours Rangers were closing in on deal when he laughed off suggestions Ibrox interest in the midfielder fell apart over contractual details.
In ominous comments, it’s clear that any suggestion Rangers are closing in on a move for the player are well wide of the mark.
“I’m here, I want to be here and I’ll continue to be here,” McLean told the Eastern Daily Press following Norwich City’s pre-season draw with Standard Liege, where the Scotland star started the match.
“I’m looking forward to Oxford. I’ve always had a good relationship with the fans and I’ll continue that for the next couple of years.
“I hope (the contract until 2026) does speak volumes. It was a pretty similar situation last year when there was talk and I committed my future to the football club. The football club also committed to me. I don’t see why that would change.”
Earlier, McLean refused to confirm or deny Rangers interest: “I don’t think that I need to speak too much on it, to be honest, in terms of if it’s true or not. It isn’t affecting me at all.”
Rangers turn transfer attentions elsewhere
If you’re getting a tad nervous over the entire thing Rangers fans, you’re not alone.
We’re not saying Kenny McLean would’ve been a panacea to the toxicity in the stands at, ehm, Murrayfield or Hampden.
But adding some much-needed experience to ranks ahead of a nervous start to the season would’ve certainly helped placate supporters who are struggling for positivity at present.
The comments from McLean also appear to validate those Rangers links to Sevilla midfielder Joan Jordan.
The 30-year-old Spaniard certainly boasts a strong profile but for Rangers will reportedly need to up their loan offer if they want to land Jordan this window.
Throw in the injury to Nicolas Raskin and suddenly Rangers are a couple of players short in what is a crucial position where the club has lost big numbers from last season.
Say what you like about Trabzonspor-bound John Lundstram, but replacing his 52 games is already proving one almighty task.
With a Premiership opener at Tynecastle and Champions League qualification on the horizon, our season could be about to stutter before it has even begun.
With the current sentiment in the Rangers support, those nerves ahead of the new season could turn to anger very, very quickly.
The issue is compounded by the fact that it not only midfield which requires much more movement and investment this summer.
The coaching staff also continue to be pretty public about the fact the Gers will have to sell players before they can buy.
The problem is – a la Sam Lammers – these guys can earn much more being second best on the bench at Ibrox than they can actually playing games of football elsewhere.
Oh it’s good to be back, isn’t it?
