It’s all systems go at the Light Blues as pre-season returns and all eyes turn to the crucial Champions League qualifiers
It’s all systems go at Rangers with Russell Martin really getting into his new role at Ibrox.
And he’s had to, with his players returning for pre-season today. However, the one thing that may disappoint fans at this stage is the lack of new faces making their way through the Auchenhowie gates.
Lyall Cameron – who will miss the start of the training under the news boss through injury – is the only new arrival so far after a pre-contract from Dundee that was already sorted before the new coaching staff and 49ers Enterprises completed their takeover.
A host of names have been linked with incomings to Ibrox including Leicester City’s Conor Coady.
Matija Frigan has directly broken his silence over Rangers links with Dor Turgeman is another tipped for a striker role.
Speaking of attackers and one man who could be off is Cyriel Dessers.
AEK Athens have made him a No1 priority signing and as they get set to head to their own pre-season camp they want the striker onboard.
The Scottish Sun report the Greek giants are pushing hard to tie up a move in the next 48 hours.
Record Sport exclusively revealed that star man Nico Raskin is wanted down south by Wolves and after confirming earlier this summer the exits of Leon Balogun, Tom Lawrence and Ianis Hagi – the more that head out the way, means more on top of what is already required to come in the door.
Our man Keith Jackson reckons Rangers need at least SIX bodies on top of Aarons – and that is before factoring in if any clubs firm up interest in Raskin or colleague Mohamed Diomande which would mean a midfield rebuild.
Speaking in our Monday Jury, he stated: “Max Aarons is a decent start but Martin needs so much more than just a right back.
“Two central defenders will be needed as well as a left back, a couple of wingers and at least one striker.
“If Nico Raskin and/or Mohamed Diomande move on this summer then he’ll need to rebuild his midfield too.”
An ally of new boss Martin has also expressed his surprise that Rangers have not made a move for a certain striker.
The player in question of course is Lawrence Shankland, who is out of contract at Hearts.
They are desperate to keep him as he weighs up his next move and his former boss and Rangers hitman Steven Naismith reckons he would be a ‘safe bet’ and would pretty much guarantee 15-20 goals.
He said: “In one respect, I’m surprised Rangers haven’t gone for him. Because I think Shanks is as safe a bet as you’re going to get when it comes to scoring goals in Scotland.
“What goes against him is probably his mobility. But for me, he’s a really intelligent player now. He’s a link between midfield and attack, as well as a goal scorer.
“It would be a free transfer but it’s still expensive for Rangers to sign players who are scoring 30 goals a season.
“I’m sure Shanks will have some offers because for two seasons he’s been unbelievable.
“Could he play in Russell’s team? I think he could. From the moment I played with Shanks in Scotland to when I was coaching him, it was always about his intelligence.
“Where he picks positions up, he’s got a real finesse about his touch. Then he’s got that calmness in the final third that makes him different.
“I definitely think he could fit in. He fits a lot of the criteria for Rangers.
“Getting goal scorers who can near enough guarantee you 15-20 goals a season are hard to come by. And at the Old Firm they’re very good to have around.”
