Rangers rebuild feels bigger than one window

This is the bit that sticks in the throat. Celtic, for all their flaws, tend to recruit like a side that’s already got a base. They add a couple of starters, maybe freshen one area, and that’s them. Rangers, meanwhile, look like we’re staring at a summer where the shopping list is basically the team sheet.

That contrast matters because it dictates everything: how quickly you can improve, how many risks you’re forced to take, and how patient supporters realistically can be. One club can “top up”. The other has to rebuild, again.

Celtic can tweak while Rangers need a reset

The point about Celtic having a strong core is hard to argue with. Even their so-called fringe players are often proven at a decent level. So if they go into a window needing, say, a striker and a right winger, it’s a relatively clean job. Two key additions, keep the spine, move on.

We don’t have that luxury. The worry isn’t just quality in a couple of positions, it’s the sheer volume of gaps. When you’re talking about needing a centre-half pairing, full-backs, wide options, a goalscorer and a proper blend in midfield, that’s not a refresh. That’s an overhaul.

The defensive situation is the real alarm bell

The line that should make everyone wince is this: going into next season, the only defenders mentioned are Fernandes and Nsiala. If that’s the shape of it, it’s not even about “strengthening” at the back. It’s about having enough bodies to field a back line that looks settled.

And that’s where frustration turns into a bigger question. How does a club like Rangers allow itself to drift into a position where the defence looks so thin on paper? That’s recruitment, contracts, succession planning, all of it. You can’t keep letting it get to a crisis point and then act surprised it takes two or three windows to fix.

Be pragmatic, but don’t kid ourselves

There is a sensible argument for prioritising. You can maybe delay a ‘6’ and an ‘8’ if you have to, and focus on the obvious fires first: defenders, wide players with pace, and a striker who actually changes games. But even with that “pragmatic” approach, you’re still talking about a scary number of signings.

That’s why this summer can’t just be scattergun. Rangers need a plan, a style to recruit for, and players who can handle being starters rather than hopeful projects. Truth is, it’s not just about how many come in. It’s about finally building a squad that doesn’t need torn up every year.

And it’s worth remembering: Steven Gerrard already had to overhaul the squad once. You can see why a manager wouldn’t fancy doing it all over again. Rangers have to break that cycle.

Written by zikos: 23 December 2025