Rangers fans are getting used to the feeling of disappointment on transfer deadline day.
And they’re not sure if they like it.
The final day of the transfer window turned out to be something of a damp squib at Ibrox despite links to the likes of Yorbe Vertessen and excitement around the potential arrival of a new left-winger.
Patrick Stewart was clear that January is not the best month to be conducting business and whilst Rangers are glad to ease the pressure on the wage bill holes still exist in the squad.
Philippe Clement warned the Rangers board he needed new faces and after spending the entirety of January shovelling the pressure on to those in the Ibrox boardroom, glances are being aimed upwards.
Rangers have reshuffled and refined the youthful vision which now defines the club’s transfer activity.
But fans remain apprehensive amid the constant downgrading and a lack of genuine attacking options.
Rangers deadline day a damp squib
Rangers have told friendly journalists that the club’s lack of transfer activity is with youth in mind, the club no longer able to afford short-term fixes and expensive vanity signings who have failed to deliver success.
The suggestion is that no-one suitable became available and that the club would rather soldier on with a smaller squad than force a square peg into a round hole.
Rangers are determined to be both consistent and robust in the market and didn’t flinch despite mounting pressure.
It’s to their credit, whether you agree with the club’s business or not.
There is a clear gap at left-wing and fans can have their own opinions on that.
But Rangers want to sign players who, even if they come here on short-term deals, will be given the chance to make a long-term impact.
Rangers stay true to youthful vision in transfer market
At the end of it all, Rangers are left with only Rafael Fernandes to show for the winter window with the Lille loanee the prime example of the kind of player Rangers want to sign in 2025.
Young with high potential, Fernandes is available on a manageable £3m fee in the summer.
Rangers are being cautious with their spending and brave with who they afford opportunities.
Fernandes is highly rated and is settling into Rangers very nicely. This is a signing which provides defensive cover in the short term and could prove fruitful long term too.
The club has earned that trust with these types of signings; the arrivals of Jefte, Hamza Igamane and Clinton Nsiala in particular prove that on some level Nils Koppen knows a good player when he sees one.
When the final whistle goes this season, Rangers will also see another young talent join up with the squad after a pre-contract deal for Lyall Cameron was agreed with the midfielder.
Rangers have been tailing Cameron all winter long and whilst a deal couldn’t be done this January, the positive impact of signing the 22-year-old risks being lost in the malaise of transfer deadline day.
Cameron is one of two stand out homegrown Scottish Premiership talents and Koppen has stayed true to his promise to target these sorts of players by securing the Dundee star’s signature.
In the same vein, Rangers will also now be forced to hand opportunities to some of their youngest players.
The likes of Bailey Rice, Paul Nsio and Findlay Curtis will be given a chance between now and May and Rangers may have no choice but to use them.
Rangers continue squad clear-out
There is clearly a greater sense of long-termism to Rangers’ behaviour in the transfer market but try tell that to frustrated supporters.
Rangers clearly lack effective options at left-wing with Oscar Cortes spending the bulk of the season sidelined.
Hamza Igamane has deputised there in recent matches but is a more of a natural number nine.
A lack of options means Nedim Bajrami and Ianis Hagi have shared the position for much of the campaign.
Given Rangers’ need for options in the position, and Rabbi Matondo’s departure, it makes Zak Lovelace’s switch to Millwall somewhat bizarre.
Lovelace is the sixth first-team Rangers star to leave the club this month, joining Robbie Fraser, Cole McKinnon, Kieran Dowell, Rabbi Matondo and Alex Lowry in moving on this winter.
The 19-year-old forward would’ve almost certainly been given a chance this season but chose to return to Millwall to be closer to his family.
All things considered, this is probably the only exit which genuinely weakens the squad or at least the club’s future transfer prospects.
This window has been an early spring clean for Rangers who’ve cut loose much of the dead weight which has held the club back on and off the park.
The last few weeks have also sent a message to supporters that no matter how much the pressure builds in the transfer market, Rangers won’t take risky decisions which jeopardise the long-term health of the club.
