Koppen looks to make early Gers Bosman swoop for 6ft colossus European trophy winner, talks under way

Philippe Clement will need to add more quality to his Rangers team in the summer whilst looking to improve the age profile too.

The three players who arrived in January are all younger and at the beginning of their careers, instantly lowering the age of the squad in the process.

With the transfer window not far away from being open, Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen have already started the process of identifying and speaking to new targets, including one from the Premier League.

Rangers linked with West Ham’s Ben Johnson

West Ham’s Ben Johnson was reported to be under consideration in the winter window but the 24-year old is approaching the end of this contract.

In the last two years, the versatile 6ft tall defender has rejected both a four and six and a half year contract, according to The Athletic.

The former England Under-21 international has made 22 appearances this season and was a youth level teammate of Dujon Sterling.

The report claims that Rangers have already spoken to the representatives of Ben Johnson and hope to beat Leeds United and Crystal Palace to his signature.

There are similar traits to the deal that saw Rangers land Sterling on a Bosman in the summer of 2023 after he had rejected a contract offer from Chelsea and other sides in the Premier League.

With a Europa Conference League winner’s medal in his back pocket, Johnston is clearly a talented player, however, is he a player that Rangers need?

Why Johnson would be a waste of money for Rangers
Rangers captain and top goalscorer is a right-back.

James Tavernier is also one of our most resilient players.

As Dujon Sterling has learned, game time at right-back goes only to one player.

He wouldn’t have expected to play at left-back ahead of a Croatia international, in defensive midfield in an Old Firm derby and against Benfica or on the right-hand side of a front three.

Ben Johnson doesn’t have this level of flexibility and can only cover both full-back positions.

Even if it was just Sterling at right-back, with Adam Devine providing cover, it would be a questionable decision.

If Rangers did pull off another coup and sign Johnson, that would take the total number of senior right-backs to four.

It is already imbalanced, the last thing Rangers needs is more players, who are handsomely paid, sitting on the bench or in the stand.

The only other explanation is that Sterling isn’t seen as a right-back anymore and that his appearances elsewhere have seen his role change.

Rangers squad does need to be younger and have more quality, but it also needs to be more streamlined with room for academy players to grow.

Signing players like Johnson, in a position we don’t need to strengthen, just doesn’t make sense.

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