Cyriel Dessers could be on his way out of Rangers (Image: Getty)
desperately need a positive transfer window to restore some respectability, with their Scottish Premiership title already in tatters. Sunday’s 2-2 draw at 10-man Motherwell saw the Gers fall 14 points behind runaway leaders Celtic, who ended 2024 by thumping St. Johnstone 4-0.
There is uncertainty off the pitch as well as on it, with head coach With the title surely beyond them, Rangers will hope to restore some pride over the second half of the season by progressing in the Europa League and winning the Scottish Cup.
However, much will hinge on how the January window pans, in terms of both incomings and outgoings. Given the shortage of funds at Ibrox, the latter will be essential to any squad strengthening…
Cyriel Dessers leads clearout
Selling players to free up funds will be a priority, with four potentially on the way out – Cyriel Dessers, Ridvan Yilmaz, Alex Lowry and Adam Devine. Demoted left-back Yilmaz is reportedly drawing interest from Trabzonspor, where he could reunite with Senol Gunes, the same manager who handed him his Turkey debut.
Saint-Etienne are believed to have enquired about Dessers, who looks surplus to requirements in light of Hamza Igamane’s form up front. Rangers will hope to recoup up to £4million, which could then be reinvested.
According to . Clement is open to off-loading Lowry and Devine, whose contracts are due to expire in the summer. While Giovanni van Bronckhorst was a fan of both youngsters, their progress has stalled under Clement.
Ridvan Yilmaz could be heading for Turkey (Image: Getty)
Midfield star signs
Rangers are in the hunt for Steaua Bucharest midfielder Darius Olaru, who is valued at around £4m. The 26-year-old has 15 goals and seven assists in 30 appearances for the Romanian giants this term and would, it is hoped, pep up Rangers in terms of both creating and scoring goals.
Cristi Pustai, who served as manager and technical director at Olaru’s former club, Gaz Metan, is among those to have tipped Olaru for big things. Pustai says Olaru securing regularly first-team football will be key to any decision over his future.
“I’ve always said about Darius Olaru that he’s a player who can handle any championship, but he has to go and play,” he told Romanian outlet . “He has to be very careful about the choice he makes. It also depends on the conditions under which the transfer will be made. In the end, Darius must be aware that it is a decisive moment, when he has to choose.”
However, Rangers potentially face competition from Italian side Genoa for the talented playmaker. The Gers have also been linked with Standard Liege midfielder and Northern Ireland international Isaac Price, who could be a plan B if Rangers miss out on Olaru.
Darius Olaru, pictured in action for Romania, is on Rangers’ radar (Image: Getty)
Double defensive arrival
Rangers could try and shore up their defence in January. While Clement’s side have conceded just 13 in the Premiership so far, it’s still more than three times as many as Celtic have let in.
Refreshing the ranks at the back is inevitable as Leon Balogun prepares to turn 37 in June. Nana Kasanwirjo’s knee injury, which has seen him absent for the past month, has been another headache.
Fellow Dutchman Robin Propper is another expendable name, given his issues with adapting to Scottish football following his move from Twente. With John Souttar also on the injury list, a couple of quality defensive additions would be welcomed in January.