Balance is the word that keeps coming back when you look at Rangers’ squad-building. Not just balance in midfield, but balance in recruitment. A core who understand the UK game, a couple of proper pros who set the tone every day, and then smart additions from wider markets that actually improve the side and hold value.
Right now it feels like we’re short across all three. That’s not a criticism of one individual player either, it’s more the overall shape of the group. When things get tense, who drags standards up? When we’re up against a physical side in Scotland, who’s comfortable in that scrap? And when we do go abroad, are we buying the right type or just taking a swing because the price looks decent?
Why “UK-proven” still matters
There’s a reason fans keep mentioning “players who know the league”. Scotland is its own test. The pitches, the tempo shifts, the refereeing style, the constant expectation to break teams down at Ibrox. Some lads arrive with good reputations and learn it quickly. Others never quite look comfortable. It’s not about closing the door to foreign markets, it’s about not leaving ourselves light on players who get the weekly demands.
And the experienced pros point matters too. Not old heads for the sake of it, but players who live the standards. Training, recovery, decision-making in games, the lot. You can see why that kind of presence helps, especially when results wobble and the noise starts.
Scouting smarter, not shopping narrower
A lot of supporters are wary of certain leagues, and to be fair some of that comes from getting burned before. But talent is everywhere if you scout properly and profile players for what Rangers actually need. That’s the key. The issue isn’t “this country is good, that country is bad” it’s whether we’re doing the work and sticking to a plan.
That’s why the mention of Bjornebye is interesting. If his involvement brings a more structured approach, you’d expect fewer punts and more signings who are physically reliable, tactically disciplined, and coachable. Scandinavia and Central Europe can offer those adaptable profiles, and if you get it right there’s resale potential as well. That’s how clubs build a cycle rather than starting from scratch every year.
The model Rangers keep talking about
The truth is Rangers need to shop in every viable market. The obvious ones, the less obvious ones, and everything in between. But every signing has to fit the football idea and the squad needs, not just a fee and a highlight reel.
If the club starts getting more right than wrong, the mood lifts quickly. Better recruitment makes the football better, makes the squad more resilient, and finally turns “player trading” into something real instead of a line we repeat every window.
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