The Ibrox side have a Scottish Premiership opener to come v Hearts at Tynecastle this weekend before a likely clash with Dynamo Kiev in Champions League QR3 just a few days later.
Rangers supporters know that the games come thick and fast at this time of the season but there’s a feeling the club’s squad is somewhat overcooked for the upcoming run of games.
Whilst the transfer window is open for another month yet, the looming Champions League squad registration deadline presents it’s own challenges.
Rangers have until August 1st, that’s tomorrow, to sign any new players to face off against Dynamo Kiev/Partizan Belgrade and the clock is very much ticking.
Rangers still have substantial work to do across the transfer window.
There have been a number of high profile names who’ve left the club in recent months and who, at the time of writing, haven’t been replaced.
Whilst Jefte comes in for Borna Barisic, the losses of John Lundstram and now Connor Goldson in particular have left sizeable leadership and playing voids in the squad.
With Ryan Jack and Kemar Roofe also moving on, Rangers have signed inexperienced players like Connor Barron and Hamza Igamane to replace them.
This is big experience, particularly in European football, to see walk out the door for nothing and Rangers face a big challenge in Champions League qualification this summer.
With up to £30m on the line for Champions League qualification, and around £4m just for reaching the playoff, the impending QR3 tie has a lot more than just prestige riding on it.
The remainder of our transfer window, and season, could pretty much depend on it.
Rangers have been linked to a number of players heading into this crucial juncture of the window.
But with nothing breaking on the eve of the Champions League squad deadline, you’ll forgive Rangers fans for getting nervous that nothing will.
It’s clear that Rangers will have to replace Connor Goldson, with links to defender duo Mees Hilgers (FC Twente) and Scott McKenna (unattached) this week.
It is not clear if either player is a serious target however, or if they’re close to joining the club.
Rangers are also looking to add midfield experience with some confusion surrounding an apparent knock-back from Sevilla midfielder Joan Jordan.
The 30-year-old Spaniard’s camp insist there’s been no approach from Rangers despite suggestions Jordan turned down the chance to move to Glasgow.
Whatever the case, Rangers have told friendly journalists they’ve moved on to other targets.
In the final third it is also clear that Rangers are looking to add starting quality.
There have been links to a number of wingers with reports that Rangers have had bids turned down for Plymouth attacker Morgan Whittaker and Porto winger Gonçalo Borges in the last week or so.
Rangers also retain an interest in Abdallah Sima, who has been involved in Brighton’s pre-season tour of Japan.
And all while Lawrence Shankland continues to be strongly linked by one newspaper.
Will any of these players join Rangers in the coming days? It remains to be seen.
But with transfer stories almost always breaking in the 24 hours before they’re completed, a lack of action has Rangers fans nervous.
The club’s supporters will hope recruitment wizard Nils Koppen has a trick or two up his sleeve and our Champions League squad is bolstered ahead of next week.
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