I’ll be honest, my stomach sank a bit seeing Bassey on the team sheet. That isn’t personal, it’s just that feeling you get when you’re not convinced the balance is right and you’re waiting on a moment that turns the whole afternoon into hard work.

That’s really where I’m at with the squad in general. I’ve given everyone a clean slate since Danny Röhl came in, because what’s the point in clinging to old opinions if the manager is changing the demands and standards? But even with that reset, you can still tell where the soft spots are.

Squad building: depth is fine, first-choice is the question

I wouldn’t be against a Penrice-type signing if it’s clearly as cover. That kind of move can make sense in Scotland, because the league is unforgiving and you need bodies who can handle the weekly grind without needing months to settle.

But the key word is cover. I’m fully on board with the idea that we need more SPFL-experienced players in the building, yet I don’t want that to become an excuse for settling on first-choice quality. “Knows the league” is useful. It isn’t a free pass. Rangers’ starters should still look like Rangers’ starters.

Röhl’s reset gives hope, but not everyone gets unlimited time

In fairness, a new manager can change the trajectory of a few careers quickly. Roles change, confidence changes, and suddenly a player looks sharper just because the instructions are clearer. That’s why I’m willing to be patient and see who responds.

I’ve got a good feeling about Antman, for example. I can see him becoming one of those signings you grow to appreciate once the team shape is settled and he knows exactly what’s expected in and out of possession.

At the same time, I’ve basically given up on Chermiti, Miovski and Rothwell. Not in a nasty way, just that sense that you’ve seen enough to know it’s not going to click the way you need it to at this club. Rangers can’t carry too many “maybe it’ll come good” situations at once.

The loan situation: a short-term fix can’t become a habit

On the loans, I’m with the view that we shouldn’t be looking to extend any of them. Loans have their place, but if you’re serious about building a side that dominates domestically, you need your core to be players you’ve properly invested in.

Cornelius is the standout of the loan group for me, but even then, fitness and availability matter. If you’re a defender at Rangers, you don’t just need to be good, you need to be reliable. You can’t be patching the back line every other week and hoping it holds together.

Fernandez, though, looks like he’s going from strength to strength. That’s the kind of progress you want to see: steady improvement, fewer doubts, more authority. If we can get more of that across the squad, then the clean slate under Röhl starts to feel worthwhile.

Written by Aphelion: 1 January 2026

Tags: transfers injury tactics