There’s an idea that a couple of decent seasons at Hearts or Kilmarnock automatically means a player is ready for Rangers. I don’t buy it. The step up isn’t just about quality, it’s about expectation. At Ibrox you’re meant to win every week, even when you’re flat, even when the performance is ropey, even when the crowd’s on your back.
That’s why I’m wary when names like Devlin, Baningime, or Watson get spoken about like they’re guaranteed answers. Devlin’s been at Hearts since 21/22 and, in the fan’s view here, it’s really only been a strong six months that’s driven the hype. Baningime is described as injury-prone, 27, with 125 first-team matches. And Hearts themselves finished 7th and went through two managers. If Hearts genuinely see them as crucial building blocks, why aren’t they pushing to keep them on new deals? It’s not a slam dunk.
The “SPFL-proven” label doesn’t guarantee anything
Rangers have signed from the league plenty of times. It’s not some untouched market we’ve never explored. The point is the hit rate has been mixed at best.
Scott Wright is the obvious cautionary tale for a lot of supporters. Came in with a bit of promise, but it never really clicked consistently. John Souttar is also raised here as an example of how “knows the league” doesn’t automatically translate into dominance at Rangers. He’s had spells where he looks fine, then spells where he looks like every other centre-half we’ve had problems with. Yet the criticism can be selective, with one player taking the brunt while others dodge it.
Recruitment is bigger than one league
Another point worth sitting with: Celtic haven’t needed a Scottish core to dominate domestically. They’ve simply recruited well enough, often from outside the league, and backed it up with a strong structure. That’s the bit Rangers have to get right, regardless of whether the target plays at Tynecastle, Rugby Park, or anywhere else.
The fan’s frustration is aimed as much at the bigger picture as any individual player. When recruitment is poor and you back the wrong manager, it doesn’t matter where the signings come from, you’re fighting uphill. And even when you do sign the right type, there’s never a 100% guarantee it works straight away. Some need a season to settle. That’s football.
January needs to be smart, not just busy
What Rangers can’t afford is treating the January window like a quick fix, grabbing the fashionable SPFL name because it feels familiar. The squad needs the right profiles, the right personalities, and a clear plan for how they fit. If that happens, great. If it doesn’t, we’re just repeating the same cycle and asking players to carry expectations they were never built for.
Hopefully January is kind to us. But more than that, hopefully it’s sensible.
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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.
