Rangers don’t need another scattergun rebuild where we chase “project” signings and hope they cope with the week-to-week realities of Scottish football. The better route feels obvious: build a squad with a core that can handle the SPFL first, then layer in quality from outside once the basics are secure.
SPFL-ready players should be part of the mix
There’s a reason names like Penrice, Milne (Aberdeen) and Mahwanise appeal to supporters. It’s not about pretending every Scottish-based player is automatically better. It’s simply that they’ve shown they can live in this league: the pitches, the tempo shifts, the physical contests, the pressure of being expected to win most weeks.
That matters. At Rangers you don’t get a gentle bedding-in period where a draw is “good experience”. You’re judged quickly, and you’re judged in hostile grounds where the game can turn into a scrap. If you can already cope with that environment, you’re giving the manager a safer foundation to work from.
Strength and character before the flair
The order is the key point. Settle the strength and character first, then go shopping for the flair. When we’ve looked disjointed in recent seasons, it’s often been because the team doesn’t consistently impose itself domestically. Too many games become a slog, we get dragged into stop-start football, and suddenly the clever bits don’t land because the platform isn’t there.
That’s why the idea of mixing in tougher value markets makes sense too. Scandinavian and Eastern European leagues have long been places where clubs can find players with a bit of edge, good conditioning, and a willingness to compete. Not always, of course, but the profile can fit. Someone like Dahl, alongside the right domestic additions, is the kind of balanced thinking that at least sounds like a plan rather than a punt.
Domestic success has to be the priority
Europe is where everyone wants Rangers to be thriving again, but the truth is you don’t build a European team in isolation. You build a side that wins relentlessly at home, handles pressure, and has a spine you can trust. Then you add the difference-makers.
Right now it’s fair to say we’re not hitting the required level in either arena, so the fix can’t be exotic for the sake of it. Focus on a sensible blend: Scottish or Scottish-based players who bring grit and know-how, plus smart recruitment from abroad for value, toughness and upside. Get the basics right, and the rest becomes possible.
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