As the transfer window enters business end territory, plenty of unanswered questions remain at Rangers.
Will there be any additions to follow in the footsteps of Rangers’ new central defender, Rafael Fernandes joining on loan from LOSC Lille last weekend? Will Cyriel Dessers stay put amid reported interest from clubs in Spain, Italy and France?
Dessers admitted that wanted ‘talks’ with the Rangers bosses last week after falling from first to third-choice in Philippe Clement’s pecking order.
Since those comments emerged, however, the well-travelled striker has scored four times in two matches, a hat-trick against Fraserburgh followed up in far more exalted circumstances as Dessers rattled in a ‘sensational’ effort versus Manchester United in the Europa League.
Will Rangers tie up a pre-contract deal for Dundee starlet Lyall Cameron? Will his reported Serie A suitors make a move for a revitalised Ianis Hagi?
And what of Tom Lawrence? Out of contract this summer and in the midst of another injury-interrupted campaign, fresh terms at Ibrox feel increasingly unlikely for the 31-year-old Welshman.
Scott Parker speaks on Burnley plans amid links with Rangers’ Tom Lawrence
Burnley have been linked with bringing Tom Lawrence, formerly of Manchester Untied, Derby County and Ipswich Town, back to English football before the February deadline.
But, when pressed on the prospect of additions at Turf Moor, Burnley manager Scott Parker indicated that any move for Lawrence would likely be dependent on departures happening first.
“We’ve still got a biggish squad, to be honest with you,” Parker says, speaking as Burnley prepare to host title rivals Leeds United on Monday. “Look, as always, January is very difficult. It’s a very difficult month. What we don’t want to do – and certainly I don’t want to do – is we don’t want to rush into anything.
“If there is something to be done to improve us, and which would fit into this group, then for sure we will try and do that. We have an incredible group of lads here who have done remarkably well.
“We will probably be more reactive to how things go. Maybe some players leave, maybe they don’t. Maybe something comes out of somewhere which may be of interest.
“We will look at that when it arises really.”
In theory, the likelihood of Lawrence swapping Glasgow for Lancashire may rest on the future of Mike Tresor.
Burnley’s £16 million forgotten man has played only once all season – in January’s FA Cup victory over third-tier Reading – yet The Clarets may be in no rush to add another attacking midfielder to their squad while the expensively-acquired Tresor is still taking home a weekly wage.
Burnley miss out to Middlesbrough for Morgan Whittaker
Lawrence was part of Philippe Clement’s squad for the first time since October as Rangers suffered Europa League heartbreak at Old Trafford.
The former Red Devils starlet did not get off the bench against the club where he started his career, however, with Nedim Bajrami, Ianis Hagi and Danilo arguably all moving ahead of him in the pecking order during Lawrence’s latest lengthy spell on the Ibrox sidelines.
There is still the chance that Lawrence joins former Rangers teammates John Lundstram and Borna Barisic in Turkey.
Trabzonspor snapped up the ex-Gers duo last summer. Tom Lawrence is a target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Besiktas side, though a return south of the border may hold plenty of appeal given Burnley’s position in the midst of a promotion battle.
Burnley had initially made an offer for Plymouth Argyle’s Morgan Whittaker.
But with one-time Rangers target Whittaker heading to Middlesbrough instead – their Championship rivals have seen a £6 million bid accepted by Argyle – the door may remain ajar for Lawrence to arrive in his place.
“I think if a player like that becomes available, you definitely have a look at him for your squad,” former Crystal Palace and Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison tells Football League World.
“I don’t think it would be a bad signing. Maybe if they can’t get Whittaker [Burnley could go for Lawrence]. It would be a good signing.
“If Lawrence is available, you don’t turn your nose up at that.”
