If there’s any truth in Danilo having offers on the table, it’s hard not to see that as the first domino. Strikers are the position that can change a squad plan overnight. One out, one in, and suddenly the whole balance of minutes, shape and squad numbers looks different.
What I like about the thinking here is it’s not just “sign a name”. It’s looking at the actual makeup of the group. Rangers have been caught too often with a bench that doesn’t really change a game, or with too many similar options doing the same job.
Five wide players sounds about right
The idea of going into the season with five proper wide options feels sensible. Not five lads who can “kind of” play there if you squint, but genuine wide players: two left, two right, plus one who can switch sides depending on the match.
That’s how you keep standards up. You don’t just rotate for the sake of it, you rotate because competition forces everyone to be sharper. And in Scottish football, with the amount of games and the amount of low blocks you face, you need wide men who can beat a player and keep the tempo high.
On the right, you’re basically saying if ASO comes in, you’ve then got him plus Antman. That immediately makes a loan for Curtis feel logical. Young players need minutes, not ten-minute cameos when you’re chasing a winner.
The left side and what it means for departures
On the left, Moore is already there, and Gassama being able to play both sides is a big help. Versatility matters, especially when games turn messy and you need to swap roles without making three changes at once.
If Rangers do go and add another left-sided wide player, you can see how that might push Matondo towards the exit door. It’s not personal, it’s just squad maths. If you’re carrying numbers in wide areas, somebody ends up with scraps.
Midfield cover while Barron is out
The other point that stands out is midfield. With Barron injured, it’s not hard to argue Rangers need another body in there, someone who can keep the team ticking over without forcing square pegs into round holes.
The shout for Neil from Sunderland is about cover as much as quality. A midfield group like Raskin, Dio, Neil, Aasgaard, Chukwuani, Barron (when back), and possibly Bajrami unless he’s sold, gives you options for different types of match. It also opens the door to moving on players who aren’t really shifting the team forward, like Dowell and Rothwell, plus Rice if he does want away.
Overall, I’m with the sentiment: if the board are backing the manager and actually building a balanced squad, you’ve got to give them credit for having a proper go at it.
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