Celtic have momentum but Rangers psychology is massive with 2 solutions needed in treacherous transfer window – Kenny Miller

Rangers got close to Celtic in yesterday’s Old Firm defeat at Parkhead. But to have the best chance of overtaking the champions before the end of the season then Philippe Clement needs a strong January transfer window. What would a successful window look like for Rangers? I’d say at least two starting players. One in attack and a creative midfielder. Players ready to hit the ground running and make an impact in the team. Improve the team. This window is so treacherous. But Rangers have to try and

navigate it successfully to give themselves the best chance to lift the title. Why treacherous? Well let’s take Lawrence Shankland who I’ve already stated should have been a target in the summer, as an example. A player under contract, captain of his club and top scorer in the league. Rangers would have to pay Hearts top dollar to get him. That could be two, three or four million .. I don’t know. But what you get for your money is a player at the top of his game, who knows the opposition and scores goals at every single level he has played. Someone you would hang your hat on making an impact. But you have to pay the money. Related Articles Transfer news LIVE as Rangers and Celtic plus Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs

eye signingsdailyrecord Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers Brendan Rodgers in Celtic marriage of convenience and one thing can stop annulment as Rangers disguise sins – Hugh Keevinsdailyrecord On the flip side you might go for someone who’s not getting game time. It might be a loan signing like Fabio Silva from Wolves. Yes he might have all the potential to be a top signing. But it might take time for him to get up to speed. Do you really want to put your neck on the line for someone that’s not getting game time at their club? Rangers don’t need squad players, the squad’s big enough. Rangers need players who will improve that starting line-up and that’s why this window will be tough. Bringing in players with high

standards and mentality also drives those already in the dressing room on to lift their game to another level and say ‘I don’t want to be the guy left out’. Even if Danilo and Kemar Roofe were fit I’d still think Clement would be looking for a striker because at the moment he only really has Cyriel Dessers. In midfield Sam Lammers and Todd Cantwell are the creative forces but neither has been outstanding this season. I do think Cantwell has it in him to be that guy who makes the difference but right now they could do with another option. Silva is a good early start to the window and it allows Clement a good

amount of time to work with him over the break. But I’ll reserve judgement on the Wolves loanee until I’ve seen him play. Yes, he has a big transfer tag which suggests there’s real potential there to come in and impact. But we’ve seen that before with Amad Diallo and that never went great . Rangers Abdallah Sima is left floored Silva is young and while he’s not nailed down regular game time or any real numbers in terms of goals at Wolves, he has gone on loan to Anderlecht and PSV last season and produced 16 goals across 51 games is not bad at a good level. He is versatile and that’s helpful. Clement said he sees

him challenging for the central role at first and that’s probably because he only really has Dessers to play there at the moment. There’s not really any other option unless you’re being creative moving others into the central position. Dessers missed the biggest chance in yesterday’s derby and the defeat has slightly shifted the title race back into Celtic’s favour. Psychology is massive now. Go back a year when Michael Beale drew his first one 2-2 – he then lost his next three.

You don’t want to be going four derbies without a win as a Rangers manager. Then the questions get asked about your record in the fixture.

The reality is that every derby gets bigger when you are searching for your first win. The manager won’t want to be answering those kind of questions. He will want to make sure Rangers take care of business in the games before the next derby to be in as good a position as possible to make their mark.

Rangers have two games in hand and, while I’d rather have the points, had you asked Clement when he came in if he’d be happy to claw back points on Celtic and win the League Cup and Europa League group going into the break then I’m sure he’d have bit your hand off. Now it’s about using January to try and get even closer to their rivals.

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