Rangers linked to 11 January transfer targets;

Rangers have eleven names making the Ibrox rounds already, so it appears they will have a busy January transfer window.

Although Philippe Clement has made jokes about how the club’s transfer business most likely won’t involve as many players, we believe that some, if not most, of them have a hint of Ibrox truth.
Here, as Rangers’ transfer activity prepares to pick up steam, we rank the likelihood that those names will really make it into the squad in January.
McKenna Scott

We’ll start this piece at the bottom, just as with any excellent modern football club, even if Scott McKenna, who is connected to the Rangers, isn’t exactly a defender in the Sergio Ramos mold.

Still, the former Aberdeen goalkeeper is a very good center defender with a wealth of Premier League experience and thirty Scotland caps under his belt, making him a fascinating connection.

Rangers could do worse than arrange a six-month loan for the 27-year-old Nottingham Forest defender before grabbing him on a free agent in the summer, because Celtic are apparently no longer in the running!

Probability of transfer: 6/10
Cordoba Jose

There has been a transfer link involving Jose Cordoba that Rangers supporters may have overlooked in January.

The 23-year-old Panamanian behemoth was mentioned in passing in reports from Bulgaria, where he plays defensive midfield for Levski Sofia after switching from defense.

There is a catch however; with Besiktas reportedly launching a January move for the player Rangers better get a move on if they want to conclude a deal.

Transfer likelihood: 2/10

Kai Wagner

German left-back Kai Wagner is one a number of the names in the troublesome position being linked with Rangers this January.

Out of contract at Philadelphia Union, there’s an offer on the table from the MLS club whilst Gennaro Gattuso and Marseille have been named as potential suitors.

Having a reputation as a top assister in the MLS, it’s a left-back certainly in the Rangers mould and sounds will continue until Wagner’s future is decided.

Transfer likelihood: 7/10

Fredrik Oppegard

Linked at the same time as Kai Wagner, PSV talent Fredik Oppegard looks set to move on from the club this January according to manager Peter Bosz.

Whether that’s on loan or permanently remains to be seen but it’s clear the Norwegian youth international is miles away from the Eredivisie leaders’ first-team.

With Nils Koppen having moved to Ibrox from the Philips Stadion, this is one which hasn’t yet gone away and we’ll be keeping an eye on it in the weeks ahead.

Transfer likelihood: 6/10

Owen Beck

Rangers and Celtic are said to have had loan approaches rebuffed for Liverpool talent Owen Beck, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Dundee.

Recalled in January after a sterling six months, Liverpool are now looking to the kid amid injuries to Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

One suspects for the time being Liverpool will keeping Owen Beck around but depending on what happens on the injury front at Anfield, and transfer front at Ibrox, maybe we’ll revisit this later in the window.

Transfer likelihood: 4/10

Josh Doig

Ok, so we’ve established at this point Rangers are looking at left-backs with Verona star Josh Doig one of the most familiar names on this list.

The ex-Hibs left-back has been linked to Rangers at the same time as Verona are reportedly looking at Rangers star Ridvan Yilmaz.

But with Serie A side Torino in the mix, Doig reportedly prefers a stay in Italy, whilst talk of a £5m+ transfer valuation should’ve ended this link at source.

Transfer likelihood: 4/10

Gijs Smal

This is the last left-back on our list (we promise) and probably the most suitable option for Rangers given Gijs Smal’s role at FC Twente.

An attacking left-back who has emerged as one of the Eredivisie’s most dynamic wing-backs, there is little not to like about the suggestion Rangers could move.

Out of contract in the summer and available on a cut-price fee, the links emerged online after recommendations on Rangers forums so we’ll wait for anything concrete before our confidence in a deal rises.

Transfer likelihood: 5/10

Steven Alzate

English-born Colombian Steven Alzate has been linked with Rangers as he enters the final six months of his contract at Premier League Brighton.

Currently on loan at Standard Liege, the midfielder is back at the AMEX getting treatment on an ankle injury and the links have certainly caught the eye of supporters.

But amid claims Philippe Clement is not interested in signing the player – despite him being offered to Rangers – some believe it’s a decision we could live to regret.

Transfer likelihood: 5/10

Million Manhoef

One of the window’s most exciting transfer links, Vitesse winger Million Manhoef screams a combination of Rangers director Nils Koppen and an excited Ibrox support.

With competition from the likes of Leicester City, it’s a transfer which would be considered a coup with Rangers at one stage said to be leading the £2.5m hunt.

Things have gone a little cold on this one but given his status, availability, and those links to Rangers, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this pick up at one stage in the January window.

Transfer likelihood: 6/10

Emmanuel Dennis

With Abdallah Sima set to miss up to seven matches due to AFCON, Emmanuel Dennis represents a very interesting transfer link indeed.

Having cost Nottingham Forest £20m only last summer, the Nigerian attacker has had a difficult loan spell in Turkey and is reportedly close to a switch to Rangers.

Working under Philippe Clement at Club Brugge, a loan deal here appears to make perfect sense with the links first appearing in the Belgian press.

Transfer likelihood: 8/10

Lawrence Shankland

The one many of you have probably been waiting for; Hearts talisman Lawrence Shankland is probably in the running to be the most perennially Rangers linked player this century.

Rangers have been linked whilst the player has been turning out at Ayr United, Dundee United, and now Hearts and this could be the most crucial window yet.

If Rangers fail to move, the consequences could be devastating, but will the Ibrox side find the £3m-£4m the Jambos want to sell the form Scotland star?

Transfer likelihood: 8/10

Michael Beale has landed one final Rangers and Celtic Old Firm blow as Newcastle United overcome the manager’s Sunderland team in the Tyne and Wear Derby.

The former Ibrox boss is now in charge of the Black Cats and in a spirited FA Cup clash in England’s northeast, Premier League Newcastle overpowered their Championship rivals 3-0.

But some of Michael Beale’s comments after the match will stick out to both Rangers and Celtic fans as the manager appears to hit out amid the Old Firm allocation row.

“So I’ve had that both in Brazil and Scotland so to have the derby here today with some opponent’s fans in and the fans working off each other, I think derbies are what keep our football going and certainly a cup tie like today.”

Sunderland were defeated 3-0 by Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light, Daniel Ballard scoring an own goal before half-time and Alexander Isak netting a second half double.

 

Michael Beale criticises Old Firm after Sunderland v Newcastle

Taking aim at the ongoing spat between Rangers and Celtic north of the border, the incoming Sunderland manager praised the derby atmosphere at the Stadium of Light.

There were 6000 Newcastle United fans allowed into the ground for the clash at Sunderland; the first derby between the sides since the Mackem’s Premier League relegation in 2016.

Rangers and Celtic meanwhile are involved in a high-profile ticket spat where neither side have had away fans at the ground in this season’s Old Firm derby clashes.

Celtic refused the 700 or so briefs offered by Rangers in the first match of the season at Ibrox whilst our Old Firm rivals also refused to co-operate with an SPFL ruling to ensure there were no travelling fans in the recent 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park.

The Parkhead side are known to be unhappy with Rangers’ decision to slash the traditional 8000 opposition allocation for Old Firm clashes back in 2018.

This comes amid a shift in Scottish football where home sides from across the Scottish Premiership have been altering their traditional allocations for visiting Old Firm sides.

Rangers have since been clear that after selling the seats to season ticket holders there will be no return to the previous arrangement.

Fresh twist coming in Rangers Celtic Old Firm allocation spat?

The comments come at an interesting time for both the Old Firm Derby and for Rangers in terms of upgrades which are coming to Ibrox Stadium.

The club recently announced plans for an increased singing section at the Copland end of Ibrox Stadium, moving the Union Bears from the Broomloan stand next season.

The move – which came after consultation with fans and the club’s squad – will also include the construction of a new cantilever in the stand and an increase in wheelchair spaces at the stadium, something which in combination will increase the stadium’s capacity by 600 seats.

 

The Broomloan is the stand which was traditionally given to Celtic supporters when the old allocation arrangement was in place, giving rise to hopes a solution could be met.

That said, the bitter feud between the two clubs has also intensified in recent seasons, with Celtic refusing to recognise the Old Firm Derby which they – incorrectly – refer to as the Glasgow Derby.

Whilst Celtic fans and players continue to try and troll Rangers with this claim, the Glasgow Derby has always traditionally been the match between the Gers and Queen’s Park.

The entire thing certainly has had an impact on the Old Firm fixture with away teams going into these matches knowing full well they’ll be up against it.

Whilst Rangers lost the first Old Firm clash of the season at Ibrox 1-0 – with a goal controversially ruled out in the first half – it serves as the anomaly and not the rule and likely will going forward.

But with the relocation of the Rangers Ultras behind the goal there’s a growing feeling the situation could be subject to change next season.

Much to the dismay of Michael Beale however, we don’t expect there to be any away allocations at the next two Old Firm clashes with both Rangers and Celtic refusing to budge as things stand.

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