Development or ready-made: the real Rangers question

Rangers are at that point where “potential” only gets you so far. This window, the conversation has to start with first-team ready, not another lad who might come good after a settling-in period. That’s why the age question matters. At 23, are we still calling someone a development player, or are we expecting them to hit the ground running at Ibrox?

At 23, you’re either ready or you’re not

There’s nothing wrong with liking a player and still being unsure about the timing. In fact, that’s probably the sensible stance. A 23-year-old can still improve, of course, but Rangers isn’t a soft landing. The demands are different. The scrutiny is different. And the margins are tight, because you’re expected to win every week.

So when fans look at a couple of years’ worth of stats and try to gauge output, it’s not being negative. It’s trying to work out whether you’re buying something reliable or buying a story you hope becomes true. Numbers never tell the full tale, but they do help frame the risk.

The settling-in bit is real, even domestically

People sometimes talk like signing from another SPFL side means the transition is easy. It helps, sure. You know the league, the pitches, the referees, the winter football. But “getting used to Rangers” is its own thing. Different tempo, different expectation, and you’re facing packed defences most weeks.

That’s the big question raised here: how long does it take to settle? And if the club are already watching someone, maybe the smart play is exactly that. Watch longer. See if the form holds. See what they look like when teams adjust and start doubling up, kicking lumps out of them, or forcing them onto their weaker side.

Why would Motherwell sell now?

Even if Rangers were keen, there’s a simple reality with deals inside the league: selling clubs need a reason. If Motherwell see a route to a strong finish, maybe even pushing for the European places, then shifting a key player mid-season just doesn’t make much sense for them.

And that’s before you even get into the prices fans throw around online. Forums love a figure, but in real life Motherwell will weigh up what a player means to their season. If they believe finishing higher brings bigger rewards than a mid-season fee, they’ll hold their nerve.

Truth is, Rangers need to be ruthless about what the squad needs right now. If a player’s profile screams “needs time”, it might be one for later, not the window where the expectation is immediate improvement.

Written by Angus1812: 7 January 2026