Rangers will need to make additions in the January transfer market with Philippe Clement looking to right the wrongs of the not so distant past.
The Gers boss has spoken about the current state of his squad, contract issues and how robust it might, or might not be, and the board have to back him accordingly.
Michael Beale brought in a decent amount of money in during the summer but Rangers will need to spend if Philippe Clement is to progress us, with journalist Pete O’Rourke claiming that he knows where is being prioritised.
Rangers have to back Philippe Clement in January
Speaking after the international break, Clement reflected on the work that he needs to do to his squad:
“To make a clear opinion about all the squad, it is not realistic to do it now for the moment.
“Of course, we have ideas and we have talked about that and we are looking at things as a club because there is also an imbalance to the squad.
“In some positions we have a lot of players and in others some not.”
When the transfer window shut most Rangers fans would be able to make the same assessment as Philippe Clement.
Too many number tens and hybrid central midfielders as well as players like Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling who were signed when the need simply wasn’t there.
Where are Rangers being tipped to strengthen?
What is surprising is that former Sky Sports reporter O’Rourke, writing for Football Insider, has claimed that Rangers are looking to address issues at left-back and striker for Philippe Clement.
There is an almost weekly Ridvan Yilmaz v Borna Barisic debate, if you combined their strengths, you’d probably get the player that the manager wants but both have glaring weaknesses at opposite ends of the park too.
As with left-back, the striker problem is one that I’d expect to be fixed in the summer, there are more urgent needs for January, especially if the right players are available.
Kemar Roofe will be out of contract but, until he leaves, he will play back up Danilo and Cyriel Dessers unless the latter can be moved on.
It’s going to be an interesting window for Rangers and for Philippe Clement but he has shown, perhaps more than any recent manager, that he deserves to be supported by the board.
A necessity if we are to close the gap at the top and become the dominant force in Scottish football once again.
