Rangers had something of a clear-out in the summer and even then, Philippe Clement still has a lot of work to do.
The manager isn’t even halfway through a squad rebuild and knows that he now needs to focus on performances and results with the players he has at his disposal.
Clement also has to find the right balance for Rangers and put together a cohesive and well functioning forward line.
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Oliver McBurnie explains Rangers move plans
With three strikers at his disposal, reports linking Lawrence Shankland with a deadline-day move seem wide of the mark, however, it was strange to see Oli McBurnie’s name not really mentioned as being a target.
The 17-times capped Scotland international is a lifelong Gers fan and, speaking to Open Goal, has explained why no dream move came off this summer when asked about previous links to G51:
“To be fair this was the only year when I’ve not heard anything from them.
“There’s always been talks but nothing has really come of it – whether it has been the right time for me or them.”
Asked if he sees himself one day running out the tunnel at Ibrox, he said:
“Yeah 100% – at one point in my life.
“But I don’t think now is the right for me to do it, I’ve signed for three years.
“It’s one of them. Obviously, I was a free contract in the summer. I was always in contact with Sheff.
“I love the place, love everything about it, but I kind of wanted a new challenge.
“I had a couple of Saudi things .. but I’m going there to retire of I go out there.
“Then my agent rang me and said Las Palmas have just sent us an offer.
“They did a zoom call the next day with me with director of football, a full presentation about how the way I play and how that would suit the way they play.”
Why McBurnie on a free transfer still didn’t make sense for Rangers
McBurnie, who cost Sheffield Utd a reported £20m, might have been “free”, but he was on Premier League wages and is now on La Liga wages.
With Dessers and Danilo two of Rangers top earners, another big wage was never going to be allocated to the striker department.
At 28-years old, McBurnie’s ship might not have left the dock quite yet, but he will be 31 when his time in the sun is due to come to an end.
Without the status of being homegrown and a player trading model that Rangers, for once, appear to be sticking to, the 6ft 4inch tall striker might have to make do with turning up to Ibrox as a fan.
