Eyes will be on the arrival of Lawrence Shankland at Glasgow Rangers, although the real priority may be to strengthen the defensive unit for new manager Derek McInnes.
In the last seven Premiership games of the season under Danny Rohl, the Gers have conceded at least twice in those outings, a record that has proved dangerous as their title hopes quickly fade away.
At least there will be a big change in that department ahead of next term, and James Tavernier will be the headliner in something that comes out in the summer.
|
Rangers – Last 7 league games |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The opponent |
The result |
CB matching |
|
Falkirk |
2-5 (W) |
Souttar, Fernandez |
|
Hibs |
1-2 (L) |
Djiga, Fernandez |
|
Celtic |
3-1 (L) |
Djiga, Fernandez |
|
Hearts |
2-1 (L) |
Djiga, Fernandez |
|
He’s beautiful |
2-3 (L) |
Djiga, Fernandez |
|
Falkirk |
3-6 (W) |
Djiga, Fernandez |
|
Dundee Utd |
4-2 (W) |
Djiga, Souttar |
The likes of Derek Cornelius, Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons and Jayden Meghoma are all set to return to their parent clubs, while speculation remains rife over a possible club-record sale of Emmanuel Fernandez.
That has left the Ibrox side down to the bare bones as things stand, despite work being done to change the dynamics of all accounts.
Rangers close in on McInnes’ first signing at Ibrox
McInnes followed Shankland through the door at Glasgow, although it remains to be seen who will be the first signing under the new regime.
Another long-standing target appears to be Dundee’s Luke Graham, the 22-year-old fresh off the back of another fine season for Steven Pressley’s side.
It is expected that Rangers will try to strengthen their interest in the young Scot, amid rivals from Portsmouth, and the left-footer looks set to be snapped up with a year left to run on his existing deal.
It’s a similar situation regarding the club’s pursuit of Ross McCrorie, with Football Insider revealing that the Old Firm giants are in a good position to wrap up a deal for the Bristol City star.
Like Graham, the 28-year-old is out of contract at Ashton Gate next season, and the Light Blues are now closing in on a deal to bring him back to Ibrox, despite interest from English players.
Talks are said to have progressed, with the Scotland international, who has played two games, likely to make a move ‘in the coming weeks’.
Why McCrorie’s signing could be Sterling’s last
It looks set to be a summer of reunions by all accounts, with McInnes and Shankland set to link up again, with Vaclav Cerny also in line for a return to Glasgow.
Rangers have seen a £5m bid accepted to re-sign Ibrox hero Just
The Rangers were able to see a request accepted for a star player who could be signed better than Elijah Just.
McCrorie, a product of the Gers academy, could be one to enjoy an Ibrox return, having left permanently for Aberdeen in 2021, following a string of loan spells.
It was at Pittodrie that the 28-year-old played under McInnes, making 30 appearances under his Scottish counterpart, scoring twice and registering three assists.
Throughout his time with the Dons and Rangers combined, the versatile McCrorie made 170 appearances, scoring ten goals and registering seven assists, featuring in a variety of roles for both clubs.
It’s that versatility that would make him such an asset to McInnes today, who looks set to usurp Dujon Sterling as Rangers’ jack of all trades.
In Sterling’s case, the England international has filled a number of positions over the past three years at Ibrox, playing at full-back, as a central defender or as a defensive midfielder.
Like McCrorie, it is at right-back where the 26-year-old is at his best, with former manager Rohl favoring him ahead of Tavernier in key games last season, including a 4-2 win over Hearts.
With defensive options so limited, there may still be a role for Sterling under McInnes, however McCrorie could throw that into doubt, especially with Rangers’ current injury-prone man.
Indeed, in 2025/26, Sterling only featured 17 times in all competitions, only 13 of which came as starters, never proving to be a reliable figure at the back.
McCrorie, on the other hand, is a dynamic man following a fine campaign with the Robins, having scored and assisted nine goals in the EFL Championship, while operating as a full-back or full-back.
That improved scoring has also seen the Gers goal create eight ‘big chances’ and average 0.8 passes per game in England’s second tier, a record higher than Sterling’s.
For context, the former Chelsea man created just one ‘big chance’ in the Premiership last term, while averaging just 0.4 passes per game.
That doesn’t mean McCrorie is the weak link on defense, however, as he has bettered Sterling as well in terms of tackles per game (2.4 vs 2.0).
With Sterling out of contract next summer, there may be a sense that now may be the time to cash in after three injury-riddled years in Glasgow, and McCrorie appears to be improving very well.
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