After a quiet start to the transfer window, Rangers have ramped things up and landed a double blow on Celtic with the signings of Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo.
With Celtic initially starting the transfer window strong, spending £20m on their squad, there were some nerves jangling at Ibrox with everything quiet on the transfer front.
But after focusing on contract renewals – a new four-year deal for near ever-present vice-captain Connor Goldson amongst the best business of the window – Rangers have added a potency to their squad which was clearly missing last season.
Antonio Colak, Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo all add firepower, goals and assists to the team.
What’s more, Rangers have reportedly pipped Old Firm rivals Celtic to two of these signings and strengthened the Ibrox squad significantly in the process.
Rangers sign Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo amid Celtic links
Scotland international John Souttar was first to join and was followed in through the door by ex-PAOK and Malmo forward Antonio Colak.
But it’s in the singing of ex-Derby County captain Tom Lawrence and once-£11m Schalke 04 winger Rabbi Matondo that Rangers have stolen a march on their rivals.
Celtic were named as one of the clubs tailing Derby’s top scorer from last season as Tom Lawrence mused over his future this summer.
TEAMtalk claimed that the Parkhead club and several English Championship and Premier League sides were considering a move for the 28-year-old.
However, as a deal appeared to be nearing completion at Sheffield United, Rangers stole a march and now the goalscoring attacking midfielder is an Ibrox player.
Similarly, the Parkhead side were also linked to former Cercle Brugge loanee and Man City youth Rabbi Matondo before he rocked up at Ibrox.
Both reports in Germany [Waz] and from Guardian journalist Will Unwin had claimed the Parkhead side were seriously interested in the Welsh international before he joined Rangers.
BBC Sport journalist Fraser Fletcher then claimed that a rival Scottish Premiership side – and there’s only one team it could realistically be – were also in for Rabbi Matondo before he joined the Gers.
Heart & Hand are even claiming the Parkhead club contacted the player’s agent when they found out he was in Glasgow.
Rangers have announced a four-year deal with the notoriously pacey winger with the club reportedly paying £2.5m [Daily Mail] to bring him to Ibrox.
Rangers add goals with Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo deals
Whilst it’s always good to see Rangers pip Celtic when it comes to anything, there’s an added dimension to this given the goalscoring effectiveness of both Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo.
Last season, Lawrence netted 11 goals and laid on five assists for Derby County whilst Matondo netted 10 and laid on two for Cercle Brugge.
That means Rangers have added close to 30 goals with these two players and when you combine Colak’s last full season with Malmo (19 goals, three assists) then it takes the total number to above 50.
Not only does winning these transfer battles give Rangers fans something to gloat over when it comes to their Celtic rivals, but the potency the club has just added could be the difference-maker in wrestling back the Scottish Premiership title.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly stolen a march in the pursuit of a £10m-rated Rangers-linked wonderkid.
