The constant chat about Danilho Doekhi has been doing the rounds for years now, and it keeps resurfacing for one simple reason: Rangers fans are crying out for a centre-half who looks like a leader, not just a defender who can pass the ball five yards.
The point being made is fairly straightforward. Doekhi was apparently on the radar as far back as the Gerrard era, and again when Giovanni van Bronckhorst was in the dugout. Whether that ever went beyond interest is another thing, but it tells you the type of profile Rangers have been looking at for a while: a centre-back with presence, physicality and a bit of authority about him.
Why the “captain” angle matters
Supporters always latch onto “captain material”, and sometimes it can be a bit of a lazy label. But in our league it genuinely matters. Too often, Rangers look fine when everything’s going our way, then the moment we concede or the crowd gets edgy, the back line starts defending moments rather than managing the full game.
A proper defensive leader doesn’t just win headers. He organises the line, tells the full-backs when to tuck in, and makes sure we don’t get caught in that horrible space between pressing and dropping off. It’s the boring stuff. It’s also the stuff that wins tight domestic games.
Affordability is only half the battle
The argument here is that Rangers could afford the sort of wage being mentioned, and that’s fair enough as a general point. But it’s never only wages, is it? Players coming from a stronger league will weigh up everything: Europe, the manager, the direction of the club, and whether they see Rangers as a step forward or a sideways move.
Still, if the recruitment is smart and the pitch is clear, Rangers can absolutely sell the idea of being a key player at Ibrox. Especially a centre-half who’s coming in to be the main man rather than one option among many.
A wee reminder: Rangers have done Dutch signings properly before
There’s also a good point made about perspective. Rangers have had top Dutch players in the past, and real names too: Ronald de Boer, Frank de Boer, Arthur Numan, Michael Mols, Fernando Ricksen and Gio himself. That history doesn’t mean every Dutch defender will be a success, but it does show we’re not some backwater club that can’t attract quality.
Truth is, whether it’s Doekhi or someone similar, the need doesn’t change. Rangers need a centre-half who can defend his box, handle transitions, and lead the unit. Get that right, and a lot of other problems suddenly look smaller.
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