Whether Rangers bring in a centre-forward before the transfer window closes remains to be seen.
But it’s safe to assume many a supporter would welcome one with open arms.
Especially with £6 million Danilo yet to return from an injury which has kept him out since December, with Hamza Igamane not yet ready, and Cyriel Dessers as hit-or-miss as ever.
In the last 48 hours, however, two of the centre-forwards who have been most frequently linked with a move to Rangers over the previous eight months or so have been officially removed from contention.
Bojan Miovski, a modern-day Aberdeen ‘legend’, joins Girona for nearly £7 million. Miovski has been given the task of replacing La Liga Golden Boot winner Artem Dovbyk at a side preparing for an assault on the Champions League.
No pressure, then, Bojan.
As for Tommy Conway, his name can also be taken out of the frame when discussing potential solutions to Rangers’ number nine issue.
Rangers can no longer sign Tommy Conway
The Bristol Post reported in June that Rangers were on red alert after Conway made it clear that he had little intention of extending a contract that had only a year left to run.
Given the values usually attributed to the best young talents in England’s second tier – it is not uncommon to see them move for £20 million-plus these days – the chance to snap up Scotland international Conway for a cut-price fee is one that may have appealed to Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen.
But while the actual severity of Rangers’ interest has never really been made clear, Conway’s move to Middlesbrough on Friday afternoon brings an end to any lingering speculation surrounding the Somerset-born poacher.
Middlesbrough have parted with around £5 million, according to Gazette Live.
Conway, who was also linked with numerous Premier League clubs as well as Rangers’ Old Firm neighbours Celtic, signs a four-year deal at a side who showcased their promotion credentials with a 3-0 hammering of Leeds United at Elland Road on Wednesday, albeit in the EFL Cup.
Middlesbrough unveil Scotland international striker
“We’re delighted to bring Tommy in,” Boro manager and former Manchester United stalwart Michael Carrick tells the club’s official website. “He’s a good age, he has great potential and we’re really excited to work with him.
“He’s already got plenty of Championship experience, and he’s a great addition to the squad.”
Rangers, meanwhile, are preparing to take on St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup on Saturday evening. Dessers is likely to lead the line again, unless Clement feels 21-year-old Igamane is ready for a run out after his arrival from Moroccan football.
The former Monaco boss also confirms that Rangers will need to sell before they can buy during the final two weeks of the window.
“Yes, that’s the case,” Clement says, via the club’s official YouTube channel. “Some of them know (that is the case) already for a really long time and they’re still in the building. That makes things more difficult. But it is what it is.
“I cannot put a gun on their heads to get them out of the building. That’s also not the idea.”
