Some of the noise around this transfer window has been exhausting, and it’s led to a strange thing Rangers fans can do at times: deciding a player is rubbish before he’s even pulled on the shirt. Cameron Archer is the latest one getting it in the neck from some quarters, and I just don’t really get the level of the backlash.
Archer doesn’t need to be a 25-goal machine
Is Archer an out-and-out penalty-box striker who guarantees you 25-plus a season? Probably not. But that doesn’t automatically make him a bad signing, does it?
From what we’re talking about here, he’s got athleticism, he’s quick over the ground, he’s strong enough to handle the physical side, and he looks comfortable receiving the ball rather than it bouncing off him. That matters in Scotland, where you’re often facing packed boxes one week and then a more open game the next. Having someone who can carry it, take a defender on, and actually stretch the pitch gives the team a different look.
And truth is, not every forward has to be the one finishing everything. Sometimes you need a striker who creates chaos, drags centre-halves around, opens space for runners, and helps you keep attacks alive. If Rangers sign him and he does that consistently, he’s doing a job.
The Anderson talk: what sort of profile are we missing?
There’s also the question of this alleged Anderson bid. If there’s anything in it, the appeal is obvious: a no-nonsense type, hard as nails, gets stuck in, but with enough football intelligence to avoid being just a hatchet man.
That kind of player can change the mood of a side. In tight Scottish Premiership games, you often need someone who wins second balls, competes properly, and stops opponents getting comfortable in transitions. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a big part of keeping momentum going across a long season.
Hibs can be poor and still make it a scrap
As for Hibs, they might be struggling, but we’ve all seen it before. Teams who look rotten on paper suddenly find a yard of pace and a bit of bite when Rangers come to town. That’s why you can’t sleepwalk the opening stages.
Start fast, move the ball with tempo, win your battles, and make them chase. Do that and Rangers give themselves the best chance of controlling the match and getting the win that keeps the pressure on at the top end. Simple, but it has to be done.
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Rangers News Views offers daily Glasgow Rangers coverage including match reaction, transfer analysis, SPFL context, tactical breakdowns and opinion-led articles written by supporters for supporters.
