Rangers and Philippe Clement have two weeks to regroup or rethink after the manner in which everything, and everyone unraveled at Parkhead.
It wasn’t so much the defeat, but the manner of it, with the manager scratching his head as to who he can and can’t trust in his squad – the next derby could see an entirely different line-up.
One issue that the Gers boss addressed after the game was the defensive midfield role that hasn’t been given the proper attention since Steven Gerrard was manager and the “possibility” of going into the free agent market.
Rangers leaving it late if they want to sign Steven Alzate
Admitting that he could go back into the market, the obvious name for Rangers to go for is Steven Alzate.
Released by Brighton, the Colombia international has spent most of his recent time on loan in Belgium where Clement will have access to first hand accounts of the playmaker’s form.
Unfortunately, if Rangers want to rekindle their interest, they will need to move quickly with Hull City looking to add to their growing Colombian contingent, according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
The Tigers could be set to lose Oscar Zambrano for a lengthy period as his punishment for failing a doping test nears, ironically, this appears to be their rationale behind approaching Alzate.
Hull also signed Gustavo Puerta, the Bayer Leverkusen powerhouse who has joined the Championship outfit on loan, another who was on Rangers radar.
Why Alzate is the perfect fit for Rangers midfield
Alzate might have an all too familiar relationship with the treatment room, however, it’s worth remembering what his former Brighton colleagues and management thought about the 25-year old:
“The brand of football that the club is playing at the moment suits him and you can see he’s very comfortable in possession with the people around him. He’s rare in the sense that he’s a midfielder that can pass the ball with vision, but can also go past people as well. The system is very different to what we’re used to, but it’s plain to see in all the games so far this season that the club is a happy place,” – Former Brighton and Hove Albion striker Glenn Murray, speaking in 2019.
“He’s dedicated and focused but his main attribute on the pitch is that he is incredibly comfortable with the ball. He can take an extra touch under pressure and he hasn’t been fazed by the Premier League. His technical ability is really good. He’s a great lad with a lot of ability and a big future,” – Former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter, speaking in 2020.
“He came on for the last 15 minutes at Everton and I thought he had something. He’s 21 and a late developer but his determination and professionalism and his ability to handle the ball under intense pressure against some of the world’s best players in the Premier League has been really good,” – Former Brighton and Hove Albion technical director Dan Ashworth, speaking in 2020.
A midfielder who can resist pressure, take the ball surrounded by opposition players and build attacks from the back?
The only question is, why haven’t Rangers signed him already?
