After last season it was no secret that Rangers needed more firepower. On the first day of preseason, how does the current front line look? Let’s start with the new signings;
Abdallah Sima
Rangers confirmed the loan signing of the 22-year-old Senegal international yesterday. He’s capable of playing on the wing or through the middle. A tall, powerful forward with pace to burn.
He’s someone I’m really excited about seeing in a Rangers shirt. I believe he’ll add guile and goals to the front line this season.
Read more about him here.
Sam Lammers
The 26-year-old Dutchmen arrived for a fee thought to be around £3.5m from Atalanta. Michael Beale has stated he can play on multiple positions, mostly thought to be a 9 or a 10.
Lammers can provide creativity and skill to a forward line currently lacking those qualities. His goal scoring record over the past few seasons hasn’t been great. Although he also hasn’t been getting regular minutes in that time.
The manager has been tracking him since his days in the Eredivisie, so he knows the type of player he’s getting. I’m excited to see what Lammers can do. He’s a completely different option to anyone else at the club currently.
His height and technical ability are a unique combination and hopefully Beale knows how to get the best out of him.
Read more about him here.
Kemar Roofe
The player that has split fans the most this off-season. There are a section of fans who would happily terminate this contract immediately. That is only due to his injury issues though.
If Kemar Roofe is fit, he scores goals. In his Rangers career he averages a goal every 114 minutes, an excellent record. Unfortunately though, he hasn’t been able to consistently keep fit.
Will this be the season he changes that? There’s no doubt he’ll remain at Ibrox for this season. With only one year remaining on his contract and his recent injury record it’s unlikely anyone will take the gamble to buy him.
So, let’s hope he can stay fit and provide the way he did in the 55 season.
Antonio Colak
There have been rumblings that there is interest in the big Croatian. Most of it seems to be coming from Germany and it’s unclear where his future lies. He’s a goal scorer and every club needs those.
But when it came down to picking between Morelos and Colak last season, Beale, more often than not, opted for Morelos. He’s never said it, but does Colak suit his style?
It’s difficult to criticise someone who scored 14 SPFL goals in 18 starts (25 total appearances) and averaged a goal every 102 minutes. Is that enough for the manager though? Almost every signing he’s made has been a player that will add athleticism and that’s not where Colak thrives.
If concrete interest is there, there’s a chance he will be sold. That being said, I definitely won’t be upset if he’s an option off of the bench next season. That raises a further question though, is coming off the bench emoji for Antonio Colak?
Time will tell on this one.
Fashion Sakala
The enigmatic goal contribution machine. Getting 19 goal contributions in 22 starts (29 total appearances) is a quite ridiculous. Alongside those numbers though, is one of the most frustrating players I’ve ever watched at Rangers.
The Zambian international is capable of magic and buffoonery within minutes of each other. Somehow, this lack of consistency doesn’t really impact his numbers.
Despite his numbers though, Rangers fans mostly remember his two open goal missed at Hampden. The club needs forwards that score that chances. Those were two huge moments in the season and those misses contributed to Rangers finishing the season trophy-less.
Despite some fan opinion, he’s a valuable player that could fetch the club a few million pounds. He’s just turned 26, is an international and, on paper at least, had an incredible season.
How do you feel about him? Would you keep him around? Or are you desperate to sell him?
Rabbi Matondo
Signed for around £3m last summer and after his preseason performances, hopes were high with the 22-year-old Welsh international. Unfortunately, he really disappointed in his debut season at Ibrox.
A combination of injuries and being out of favour limited him to just 19 SPFL appearances, with only 9 coming from the start.
That being said, he looked impressive towards the end of the season. He looked sharp, used his pace well and his decision making seemed to have improved.
He’s another though, who is a sellable asset and it’s unclear whether Beale sees him as a long term option up top.
If Rangers could recoup the money spent on him, would you accept it? Or are you keen to see what he can do next season?
Scott Wright
Wright turns 26 in August and has never been able to establish himself as a starter. He has pace and ability on the ball but often lacks an end product. Preston were apparently heavily interested but couldn’t agree a fee to get him.
It seems likely that he will be sold this summer, which is a shame. He’s capable of brilliant moments. Such as the assist for Roofe at Hampden against Aberdeen and his goal against Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final.
Those moments haven’t been consistent enough for him to cement a starting place though. He made 23 total appearances last season, with only 5 from the start. He averaged 38mins per game over those appearances and only provided 1 assist with no goals.
He’s a solid option off the bench but Rangers need better to progress. Will you be disappointed if he leaves in this window?
Conclusion
To conclude, we’re not in July yet, so it’s way too early to panic. What this article makes clear though is the need to get rid of some players and invest in quality.
Whether that be players already linked like Danilo or Cyriel Dessers or someone completely out the blue. Quality and consistency is needed in the front line.
Hopefully we hear more about the Danilo and Dessers deals in the coming does. There’s bound to be a lot of movement in and out at Ibrox over the next couple of months.
I, for one, can’t wait to see who comes in. How do you feel about the current front line? How much investment do you think is needed?