- EXCLUSIVE WITH GRAEME BAILEY
With Rangers stuttering once again, all eyes will be on January and much needed improvements to the squad.
Philippe Clement has been forced to rotate his side in recent games with sports scientists advising that certain players are at risk of injury unless they are rested.
And the defeat to St Mirren followed up with a draw at Motherwell proves the stand-ins are not up the job as the miserable away form continues.
Rangers need far more strength in depth if the manager and club is to continue with the rotation policy and that needs looked at in January and in the summer.
Gers are being linked with £4million-rated FCSB midfielder Darius Olaru, although the midfielder has been urged to sign for Genoa in Serie A instead.
It is believed Clement will add a striker with Cyriel Dessers potentially moving on.
South African Iqraam Rayners is being strongly mentioned and the 28-year-old just took his tally to 13 goals in 17 games for Mamelodi Sundowns.
While Barry Ferguson insists Rangers must target a centre-back with Dujon Sterling and Robin Propper playing together in the last two games with injuries to John Souttar and Leon Balogun.
It is not just January being looked at with Ibrox chiefs seemingly looking towards the summer.
Rangers want Burnley’s Josh Brownhill on a pre-contract
Our sister site TBR Football has previously reported that Rangers held an interest in Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill.
Now, TBR state that the club are ready to offer him a pre-contract to sign in the summer.
However, the nine-goal Championship star is also wanted by a host of other English clubs while Serie A pair Lazio and Fiorentina are believed to have jumped in with pre-contract offers.
Celtic are said to be also on his trail and ready to offer a deal.
The English clubs named are West Ham, Everton, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Leeds.
Only teams outside of England can offer a pre-contract this early so those five must wait and that could allow the Scottish pair or either of the Italian giants to get it done.
Rangers target Brownhill once described as ‘superstar in the making’
Former Hibs manager Lee Johnson had Brownhill with him when he was at Bristol City, and described him as a “superstar in the making.”
He said at the time: “First and foremost, Josh is just an unbelievable lad. He’s been a very good student.
“I took him on loan to Barnsley and could see a superstar in the making. He can tackle, he can get up and down, he’s bright with his football brain.
“He’s got a goal in him, he has good set-piece delivery and freekicks from the edge of the box. He’s the first in and last out – every day he comes in and tries to get better. He must go down as one of the best value signings in Bristol City’s history.”
Brownhill then moved to Burnley for around £8million in 2020 and has played four seasons in the Premier League for them, two in the Championship.
