No Muller, but Rangers need a forward

There’s a line between hopeful and daft, and Thomas Muller to Rangers is firmly in the second category. The real question is simpler: can we move pieces on and get a proper goals threat in?

Let’s just get this one out the road. I cannot, for the life of me, see Rangers signing Thomas Muller. It’s the sort of thing that does the rounds when the window’s open and everyone’s bored, but there’s absolutely no chance in my book. If we’re talking about what Rangers actually need, it’s far less glamorous and far more urgent: another forward who can carry the scoring load.

Danilo and the hard reality of squad space

None of this is meant as a dig at Danilo, because it’s not about effort. The truth is it just hasn’t happened for him at Rangers, and a big part of that has been injuries. When you’re trying to build momentum, settle into a new league, and get your confidence going, stop-start fitness kills you.

But Rangers can’t run a squad on sympathy. If there’s a chance to loan him out or sell him and free up space, then it’s something the club has to look at. We need a striker who’s fit, reliable, and can lead the line when the pressure’s on. That’s not harsh, it’s just the job.

Maswanhise: the type of deal that makes sense

One name I’d genuinely like us to look at is Maswanhise. If there’s a deal to be done with Motherwell, it feels like the kind of Scottish-based move that can work because you’re not guessing what the league looks like. You’re seeing it every week.

And if Findlay Curtis is going out on loan anyway, why not make that work for Rangers too? Instead of him heading to Kilmarnock, I’d be tempted to offer him to Motherwell as a sweetener in any Maswanhise talks. It’s not disrespectful to the lad, it’s a pathway for minutes, and it helps Rangers do business in a window where every bit of leverage matters.

The loan angle and the split factor

There’s another part of this that’s worth saying out loud. If Curtis is at Motherwell and they’re playing the top-six sides after the split, that’s a proper test for him. It’s also a chance for him to make an impact against teams we’re directly competing with. That’s not “sending a spy”, it’s just smart development that might also benefit Rangers in the table.

We’ve all watched seasons swing on fine margins. If one of our young players can take points off rivals while learning his trade, you can see why that appeals.

Bobcek as an option if we clear room

If Danilo does move on, then the other name I like is Tomas Bobcek. A striker with a good goalscoring record and international experience for Slovakia is at least the right profile on paper, especially if Rangers are trying to add someone who can contribute quickly rather than needing months to bed in.

Bottom line: forget the fantasy stuff. Rangers need a forward, and the next week or so should be all about making the squad work, not just adding bodies.

Written by Sir Walter Smith OBE: 25 January 2026