It all comes down to who we bring in. The SPL will tolerate squad bits, but a decent European run demands players who can keep possession, draw fouls and unlock defences. Spend the big money on a creative midfielder who can pull the strings and give the team tempo in the final third.
Why creativity has to come first
To be fair, control and power matter. We need a combative presence to win second balls and a footstrong player to cover ground. But creativity is the scarce commodity. A midfielder who can take the ball in tight areas, drive at defenders and pick a pass changes games. Without that spark, we struggle against organised European midfields. You can see why paying for that quality makes sense.
Specifically, I'm talking about a player comfortable receiving in tight pockets, who can turn under pressure and either drive forward or thread quick passes. Someone who forces defenders to move and creates space for the wingers. Diomande type hold-up and ball-carrying is brilliant, but you still need a natural creator to pull the strings and make the final pass. Chukwauni should get better with time, more confidence on the ball and better decision-making will see him slot into a more aggressive midfield role.
Who stays and who should move on
Raskin is the obvious sale in my view. Cashing him in and replacing him with someone who gets on the ball and directs play would improve the engine room. We also need a forward-thinking midfielder who can occupy higher spaces and break lines beyond the striker. Diomande I would keep unless an exceptional offer arrives; he offers a different dimension and can retain possession when needed. Chukwauni I see as a midfield aggressor — the sort who presses and wins tackles rather than pulls the strings.
Getting the balance right
Balance is key. We need a destroyer to protect the defence, a driver to carry the ball and a creator to unlock defences. That might mean keeping squad players who offer depth — Bajrami, Aasagard and Barron as cover make sense if they accept that role. Rice should be given game time now he is staying; a loan until January could be a sensible way to judge his robustness, but he must play to develop.
It is a squad-building job. Spend where it changes games and keep the balance. Do that and Rangers will be better equipped for the SPL and Europe.
Related Articles
About Rangers News Views
Rangers News Views offers daily Glasgow Rangers coverage including match reaction, transfer analysis, SPFL context, tactical breakdowns and opinion-led articles written by supporters for supporters.
