There was much trepidation coming into this window, with Rangers fans keenly aware that there was a significant number of transfers required to call this one a success. It’s been suggested over the last few years that we’ve either not replaced when we should have or not moved quickly or decisively enough. Most fans I speak to firmly believe McGregor should have been replaced last summer as an example of not moving on. Equally a quick trip to social media will educate you on the numerous targets we should have signed, such as Skov-Olsen on the right wing. A change of Chairman seems to have seen a change of approach as well, with Rangers jumping into the market with both feet this year. We’ve most likely done the majority of our shopping before the gates at Auchenhowie were re-opened for business.
One thing that hung over the new players to the squad last year was who picked them? Were they the brainchild of Ross Wilson, Were they GvB players or were they offered up by the scouting team? Debate raged as Gio went through the season, seemingly more and more distant from “his” signings. Well we can safely forget worrying about that this year as we have been left in absolutely no doubt these are “Beale’s men.” He told us in interview how they were all linked to him one way or another, he told us how he flew out to meet and greet these players face to face and look them in the eye. There is even a story doing the rounds that he turned down a player after looking them in the eye.
These are 100% Beale' picks so the only question left is have we done good business? Well on this point Beale may actually have set the bar extraordinarily high with the business done in the winter window. Picking up Cantwell and Raskin for nominal fees (€1.71m and €1.5m as per transfermarkt) ended up being a cracking piece of business. With Raskin looking calm, cool and assured and Cantwell delivering numerous man of the match performances the pressure was on for our incomings to live up to expectations.
Cantwell and Raskin started the hype with some brilliant displays in the later half of last season
With the hype generated from the two winter signings our first bit of summer business may have been seen as underwhelming as we raided Norwich again. This time we went in for soon to be free agent, Kieran Dowell who, free to sign for a new club, impressed Michael Beale in their face to face. Many people see this one as a backup signing with the 25 year old attacking midfielder being sent out on various loans before moving to Norwich for €2.2m in the summer of 2020. The left footer went on to play 75 games for the canaries, helping himself to 12 goals and six assists in his time there and whilst unlikely to dislodge Cantwell will surely pick up minutes covering for him over any injuries and half hour run-outs. This one strikes me as a solid bit of business without being spectacular.
Former Norwich City player, Dowell, in directors box at Ibrox
Next up was Dujon Sterling, a right back by trade, who is also well versed in covering at right CB as needed. In terms of pedigree this one certainly seems more interesting as the Chelsea youth was actually offered a new contract with the blues. Obviously this is a fairly common tactic to ensure a fee for a youth player but the general buzz seems to be they genuinely wanted to keep the lad. Dujon had different ideas though and decided it was time to move on, following Dowell into the club on a free transfer. This transfer is a bit of a weird one with Sterling being just about the exact opposite of our current right back. He is not widely known for his attacking prowess, so much as he is for being an excellent defender. For a 23 year old striving for minutes it would have been understandable for him to look elsewhere when you think his competition is the club captain, hall of famer and has scored over 100 goals for the club. It speaks volumes that he has the confidence to come to our club and vie with the captain for a place. It also opens up other opportunities where we could play a back three and move Tav forward a line. Sterling may not be a first pick but he definitely gives us options and it will be interesting to see exactly how he is used as the season progresses.
Dujon Sterling on media duty for Rangers
If the first two signings didn’t grab your imagination then number three certainly did. Regardless of peoples thoughts on him it is easy to say number three was box office! With a market high of €22m at his peak Jack Butland has played at the very top of the game both domestically in the EPL and with 9 caps for England. After a protracted saga around his signing it was announced he was joining on a four year deal after spending the previous season bench warming at Manchester United. Of all the players signed Butland is undoubtedly the “biggest” name but that doesn’t necessarily translate into ability. After a season of not playing there are some doubts held by supporters over his suitability to be our number one. He has got the platform to showcase his ability, now he needs to deliver for us and earn the top wage he will likely be picking up. For me the jury is out so far on this one. He undoubtedly did have massive ability but we need to see it on the park and see it consistently to justify his pay packet.
Butland getting to grips as Rangers new No1 in German pre-season training camp.
Now we’ve covered the biggest name, from our recruits, we can move to look at the most divisive name we’ve signed. 26 year old Sam Lammers joined from Atlanta for a rumoured €3.5m and it’s fair to say this one split fans down the middle. The guy is pretty much the Dutch equivalent of Cantwell, in that he was talked about for his talent and made some big money moves but never quite fulfilled his potential. Unfortunately his goals and assist record over the last few seasons has been really poor and if you prefer to see good numbers you probably hate this signing! That said, at some point we need to trust the manager. He has followed Lammers for a long time, he met him face to face to discuss the project and what his role would be in it and he has told our board this is his man. Whilst I have some concerns about this signing I do trust Beale, especially after seeing the performances put in by a “washed up” Cantwell and hopefully we see Lammers tearing up the SPFL over the coming season.
Lammers clearly happy to begin the next stage of his career signing up with Rangers
Our next incoming player is the only one who signed on loan, so far, and was a familiar face for fans. Abdallah Sima came to us from Brighton, however was part of the infamous Slavia Prague team, against whom former fans favourite, Glen Kamara was racially abused by Kudela. In fairness to the guy that’s not his fault and whilst we may have bad memories of that game I’m genuinely excited to see what he brings to us. Brighton are particularly well regarded for their transfer policy over the last few years and hopefully Sima is no exception. Unfortunately this deal doesn’t include a buy-clause, going by the reporting, so we will quite likely only see Sima at Ibrox for one season. If he does well we probably price ourselves out of a move, if not then we wouldn’t be signing him anyway. As someone said in my group chat if he helps us win the league then it will be a good loan!
Sima and fellow new boy, Lammers in training for the new season
Our second most recent incoming raised a few eyebrows with us reportedly paying out our highest fee, since Ryan Kent signed from Liverpool. At an initial €5m with a further €1.5m payable in performance related add-ons Cyriel Dessers is not the cheap option. Dessers is also 28 years old so we aren’t buying him as part of our player trading model. It’s very clear the expectation is this guy will be the game changer, the one who finally breaks the 20 goals per season mark. It’s clear already, Dessers is very good at handling the media, having given multiple interviews now. He has spoken of his joy of being here, the fact we’ve followed him for four years, filling Morelos’ shoes and more. He has appeared respectful throughout but talking a good game is only half the battle. Now we need him to put the ball in the net on a regular basis and all the talk suggests he is capable of doing exactly that.
Cyriel Dessers has proven adept at handling the media so far, hopefully this success translates to on-field success
After a slew of names really making us feel the “Summer Revamp” is under way we dipped back into the market to bring home a familiar face in Leon Balogun. It’s fair to say this was another fairly divisive signing with some fans ruing the club “going backwards” many others thought this was an obvious route, especially following news of Leon King suffering a long term setback in pre-season. I tend to fall on the latter side with this one and think it’s a fairly good, low cost signing for someone that is going to be there as backup when needed. So long as we continue to push for a new CB as well I’m content with Balogun coming back to fill a space for us.
Welcome home Leon Balogun!
So what does this mean for the window so far? I would suggest it’s a very good start but it is only a start. We still need a CB in, we need a first pick midfielder to play beside Raskin and we really need another strike option to provide cover for Dessers. Beale clearly knows a player when he sees one, based on the way Cantwell and Raskin have slotted into the team so I’m fairly comfortable we’ve got the players we need. Now they need to show us it on the pitch and validate the trust Beale has put in them.
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